Williams, Sylvanus Edward

Lieutenant Sylvanus Edward Williams MSM - 10th Field Artillery Brigade

Sylvanus Edward Williams was born in Ballarat Victoria in 1896 to Olive and William Williams. The family moved to Western Australia when Syl was still young and took up residence in 627 Edmund Street Beaconsfield. Further children were born, Grosvenor (1905), Thomas (1908) and Philip (1911).

Syl was educated locally and after leaving school he took up work as a clerk in a Customs and Shipping firm. During this time Syl participated in many local sports as well as being a member of the Fremantle based 86A Cadets.

Syl enlisted in Fremantle on the 15th March 1916. He was given a medical examination with the doctor recording Syl's physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 8 & 1/4 inches tall

Weight - 132lbs;

Chest Measurement - 33-36 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Brown.

Syl was assigned to the Artillery reinforcements and these artillery recruits in WA were sent to Victoria to complete their training. This training took place over the next few months at Maribyrnong Camp.

On the 2nd October 1916, Syl boarded the transport ship HMAT Aeneas in Port Melbourne and set sail for England. After the long sea voyage they reached Plymouth Harbour on the 19th November 1916.

After arriving in England Syl was marched into the Artillery reinforcements camp at Perham Downs on the Salisbury Plains. 

Syl arrived in France on the 7th February 1917 and was assigned to the 4th Division Ammunition Column. A few weeks later he was transferred to the 10th Field Artillery Brigade.

Through 1917 Syl served with the 10th FAB and helped provide artillery support for actions at Bullecourt, Messines and the Third Battle of Ypres. He was promoted from Bombardier to Sergeant.

His good conduct in action had caught the eyes of his senior officers and Syl was recommended for an Officers Training School, so in April 1918 he went to England to complete the Officers course.

At this time news had come through of his award of the Meritorious Service Medal. The recommendation read;

For consistent good service and devotion to duty throughout the period 22nd September 1917 to 24th February 1918. Throughout the above period and including the operations about Passchendaele, the care, thoroughness and zeal of this N.C.O. have been invaluable to this unit.

 Syl spent much of 1918 in England though he qualified as an Officer and rose in rank from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant.

Syl returned to Fremantle on the 24th July 1919 aboard the transport ship Ormonde.

After the war Sylvanus was in charge of the shipping department of Westralian Farmers when that firm was the local agent for the Australian Commonwealth line, and then joined the latter organisation as the chief clerk when a branch was established at Fremantle.

In 1927 in Fremantle he married Mavis Bullmore and in the 1930's moved to Cliff Road Claremont.

Sylvanus Williams died in 1973 aged 76.

(Photo below - Syl Williams sitting on left - His mate Tom Elder standing on right)