To all those who were kind enough to try to help identify SYDNEY R.F. SANDYS rank and regiment etc.,
I promised to POST the results sent to me by the New Zealand Defence Dept --- which I have at last received.
From the 1901 UK Census and a South African Postcard sent by Sydney (dated 1904) it is clear that Sydney went to South Africa after Census 1901 and before 1904. While in South Africa he contracted Malaria.
His New Zealand military record shows that he married a Miss M. Grieves in South Africa on 22nd December 1906 ----- shortly thereafter emigrating to New Zealand, where his first son was born (registered Auckland) 22nd September 1907. Second son's birth registered Auckland N.Z. June 1910
He prospered there and at the time of enlisting "For the duration" was 'Works Manager' of a major firm.
Promoted L/cpl, Cpl. then Sergeant, he was posted to the UK, and sent to France.
Following the summer 1917 home leave on which the picture I 'Posted' of him was taken, he reverted to Private "At his own request", and was sent back to France with 'A' Company, The 4th Reserve Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment.
He was again promoted L/Cpl, then Cpl --- but again reverted to the ranks "At his own request", before being wounded in action on 13th September 1918 sufficiently severely to be hospitalized,and receive treatment until 20 October 1919; shipped back to New Zealand and invalided out in 1919 as a L/Cpl once again.
By Jan 1932 he had recovered sufficiently to have set up a Brewery business, built himself a house and, according to a later 1930's N.Z. Newspaper article, take ship on a six month 'buying trip' with one of his sons, during which they intended to do some big game hunting.
Sydney lived to be 72 and died on 7th April 1951 at Auckland, New Zealand.
Once again, my sincere thanks to everyone ------- especially to my pal AL.
Percy.
