Sydney James Valentine Griffiths

Sydney James Valentine Griffiths was born on 13th February 1896 in Corryong, Victoria, to William James Griffiths and Mary Ann, nee Sheather.

On 3rd July 1916, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 20-year-old labourer from Towong, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 2662 and placed in the 6th Reinforcements for the 58th Battalion. Sydney gave his next of kin as his mother, Mary Griffiths. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A71 Nestor at Melbourne, Victoria, on 2nd October 1916.

During his enlistment period, he was also a member of the 15th Light Trench Mortar Battery, which he joined on 22nd November 1917. During his time overseas, he was hospitalised three times, twice for being sick and the third when he was wounded in action on 4th July 1918. On 7th April 1919, he was granted three months' leave to assist Richard Evans of Shawbury, Shropshire, with farming duties.

On 22nd August 1919, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A68 Anchisses, with the rank of Private. He was discharged on 22nd November 1919 and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Two of Sydney’s brothers, William and Leslie, would also enlist in the 1st AIF, and both would return home.

Sydney married Ester May Whyte on 6th August 1924, at Seymour, Victoria. The couple settled in Seymour, with Sydney gaining employment with Victorian Railways. They would have four children, although one, Norman, would die at an early age. In late August of 1937, Ester would pass away at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Sydney would outlive all of his family, other than his firstborn, Esther May. He passed away on 8th March 1977 at Camberwell, Victoria and was buried in Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria.