Sydney and a kilt

[English Bloke]

*Pictures added 04 Feb 09... See post #12*

Been holding back on this for a while but tonight I thought I'd drop it into the mix after stumbling across a fantastic thread by Redshank that explained the history of the Tyneside Scottish, their tartans and kilts...

As some of you may have gathered I am ex British Army. I did a lot of time in and I'm furiously proud of my military connection. I also have a passionate interest in First World War History. My interst began in 1992 when I took leave-time to explore the battlefields of Belgium and France on a push-bike (bicycle). I've revisited the area on many occasions since and really find the whole thing most absorbing.

In 1998 I was working in Germany and the unit I was with had an exchange visitor from the Australian Army. We worked in different departments so hadn't actually met but as it turned out, He too was interested in discovering more about the First World war with emphesis on the Australian contribution. His Immediate collegues within my own unit put him onto me as I had a bit of a reputation as a "WW1 spotter" (spotter = derogatory term for someone with an obsessive interest in a particular subject or theme, usually applied to persons who buy day tickets for railway platforms and collect train registration numbers in a note book).

He approached me and asked if I could steer him toward points of interest, Australian related, in Belgium or France, that he might be able to visit on his weekends off. I suggested we both book two days leave (Friday and Monday) and depart the very next weekend for France or Belgium... I was not fussed which but we wouldn't have time for both.

He couldn't decide which so we left it for a last minute flip o' the coin (I love that kind of planning). We set off and soon got to Holland, When it came to the point of
"is it Flanders or France?"
"... err... err..." we were passed the decisive junction and on our way to Ieper (Ypres). Cutting a very long story to just a long story, we dicovered we had a mutual liking of things historic AND an obsession with continental beer (Ooooh Noooo! Hic!). It was a great trip though and short though it was, a mutual mates, I'll stand at your shoulder, you'll stand at mine, bond was formed.

In 2005, Shane, my Aussie mate came back to Europe again but this time his trip was not military related. I was out by this time too. He was on a six week bender to get the REAL British experience. He based himself at my gaff (ie. dumped all his kit at my house) and set off around the British Isles on the Grand Tour. Both he and I were insistant that we resume where we left off in '98 and so we included a five day excusion to Albert in France to catch the French bits of the Aussie WW1 effort that we had missed previously.

For this leg we were accompanied by my wife, two sons, and my other mate Dave. (Who's Dave? )

After a few days of our unplanned itinerary it was decided to go back up North. We visited the German Cemetary at Neuville-Saint-Vaast (both my sons are half German, very moving for all but particularly them.), The French National Cemetery at Notre Dame de Lorette, and the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge. We also stopped to revisit the Australian Monument at Fromelles (Shane and I were there at the opening Ceremony in 1998) and then on to Ieper and the Menin Gate Bugles. We also wanted to visit the Commonwealth Military cemetary at Tyne Cot. Once again We'd both been there in '98 but others on the trip had not. I've been numerous times before and since but I've never been there with my family. I'd also never thought to name-check the register as I'm not a hero hunter by nature however my middle son David came running over to me with the book in his hand shouting
"Dad! I've found one of us!"

Sure enough there was a soldier with our Surname, (yup, just the one, it's that unusual) and so we went to find the plot. My aussie mate was standing next to me as we found the grave and to my amazement there was an Australian Cap Badge on the headstone.

Subsequent research has found that the soldier concerned is a relative on my father's side. His first name was Sydney and he was born in Sheffield England in 1888. He went to Australia at some point between 1901 and 1915 (I'm waiting for the 1911 census to become generally available this year to narrow this as there are no immigration records of his entry into Australia at the records office in Melbourne.). He enlisted into the Australian 5th Battalion (2nd Brigade) on 21 January 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria and after basic training, deployed to Egypt and subsequently Galipoli on-board HMAT A20 Hororata on 17 April 1915. Now spookily enough, ten days after the landing on the ANZAC beaches the 2nd Brigade was transferred from ANZAC to Cape Helles to help in the attack on the village of Krithia. Helles is also known as the 'Lancashire Landings' and I've been there too.

The plot thickens. My Cousin (all be it a bit stretched) was wounded there and evacuated by hospital ship to UK. From thence to France and from there to Belgium where on 20 September 1917 he was killed in the battle for Passchendaele. He is buried in Tyne cot Cemetery (Plot XXXI, Row G, Grave No. 18) so if anyone's passing and want's to give him a Nod. His name is Sydney and he's an English Bloke. My two year old Daughter also has Sydney as a middle name.

OK? So what has this got to do with Kilts John?

When I developed an interest in tracing all known info about Sydney it left unanswered questions about the rest of my ME-ness. This led me to look up my Mum's side as well. Finding the Scottish threads in my family I found fascinating, because in my head I am a really English, English Bloke. (I've covered this elsewhere)

Anyway, to the Kilts bit of all this. I have managed to aquire, (with many thanks to various Australians known and unknown) a kilt and a fly in Australian National Tartan (the sandy one) which is in sea-transit as we speak. I believe it's in need of some tender loving care when it arrives but I'm told it should fit (sort of)... and will certainly be loved. I've also got a die cast copy of a 1904 3rd iteration (Copper coloured) Rising Sun Cap badge and 'Australia' Shoulder Title (same era) which I intend to use as a kilt pin.

Sydney came from South Yorkshire, as did my Dad some 32 years later (born 1920) but I can't think of a better way of representing my Mum's Scottishness and my Dad's gang of adventurous nutters all in the one box... As a mark of respect and 'cause there aren't many of us left with the surname to do the rememberin' , One of my boys, turn and turn about, wears Sydney's trio of miniatures at rememberance. (on the right hand side of course! and the other son wears a set of my Dad's WW2 miniatures).

And here it is. Still awaiting shipment when this was taken but now underway I'm told. Could take up to three months... THREE MONTHS?? I'll show you more pictures of the kilt when it eventaully arrives but needless to say, It's quite tough waiting for this one.

[cessna152towser]

Great story, that is a lovely tartan and very much a kilt to be proud of.

[BEEDEE]

Can't wait to see the kilt on you. Even though I'm a Kiwi, I do like the colors of the Australian tartan, very evocative of the country itself. Were it with pride!

Brian

[Jock Scot]

What a story!I am looking forward to more pictures.

[kiltedmapleleaf]

as an ex British bill oddie I too love military history. I got out in 97 after the handover to Hong Kong and have been in Canada since. The next time I am over the pond the number one visit on my list id to go to Vimy. I spend two days last summer at the war museum in Ottawa and if any fellow Canadians have never been I can strongly reconmned it but make sure you go at opening and leave at closing because you'll need at least one day, I took two but as English bloke said, I too am a spotter!!!!

[Macman]

I enjoyed your post, John. Congratulations on the new kilt, and please, post pictures when it arrives!

[pdcorlis]

Beautiful tartan - wonderful post - congratulations on withstanding the torture of the Jones!

[Tartan Hiker]

Great story and great-looking kilt. It will most certainly be worth the wait (he says, now in the seventh week of waiting for his latest eBay score to arrive from Scotland via lorrie, pram, ox-cart, motor vessel, and USPS).

[English Bloke]

The Australian National Kilt arrived on Thursday 29 Jan. Unfortunately I'm away from home because of work at the minute but I should be back Tuesday. I'll post pictures after that.

Apparently the Kilt needs some tender care so depending on the condition of it I might run a photo rescue-log to include hand washing and drip drying. I'm sure that would be useful to some, probably me included.

Can't wait to get home...

[Derek Conley]

What a great story, and incredible-looking tartan, and a fun read overall. Thanks for posting it.

The craziest thing about this... (well, to me anyways) was that right before I started reading this, my playlist shuffled to "The Green Fields of France". Strange!