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Carlyon, Sydney Herbert (S H)

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Identity
Person No.
3389
Service No.
11741
Last Name
First Name
Sydney Herbert
Initials
S H
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
26
Military Service
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause of Death
Died of wounds
Grave Reference
Additional Information
Notes

Son of John Carlyon and Jessie Sangster Carlyon. Husband of Georgina Carlyon, and Father of Leslie George Carlyon. Born in Gympie, Queensland on 1st November, 1891. Was a mine manager in Gympie, and went to South Africa to mine, leaving his wife and small child in Australia, obviously with dreams of fortune, as his brother had returned from same, and told him all about it. From Sidney's son, we heard that he suffered a severe bout of rheumatic fever, and was to be discharged and sent home. However, he disappeared, and was listed as missing, presumed killed in action. Still wanting to fight, he enlisted under a false name (J V Burns), and continued fighting, subsequently being killed in action. His wife was notified of his death (missing in action, presumed dead), and was devastated. Some time later, she was notified that of his ill-health, and subsequent re-enlistment and death. The story goes that the name he was enlisted under didn't match any official person, and eventually they determined who he really was. His wife then received news of his death for the 2nd time, and the probable story behind it. She, of course, felt his place was with his wife and small child, and was devastated. She never really forgave him. His son was 5 years old at the time of his death. (Served as John Vernon Burns)

Citation
Unknown
External Source
Unknown
South African War Graves Project

southafricawargraves.org — record #3389