Military History

Sykes enlisted with the Special Reinf. No.2 Stationary Hospital
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT A24 ‘Benalla’ for Egypt 1.11.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit Special Reinf. No. 2 Stationary Hospital
Sykes disembarked with the Special Reinf. Stationary Hospital in Egypt. He was moved to the No.2 Stationary Hospital at Mudros. Sykes was placed on Transport Duty 28.5.1916. He was allocated to Nursing duties per ‘Itonus’ to Australia 10.6.1916. He re embarked for Melbourne per ‘Miltiades’ 17.8.1916 and returned to England per ‘Miltiades' 25.9.1916. Sykes was transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Harefield 29.9.1916. He burnt his hand 22.10.1916. He was transferred to the 16th Field Ambulance 28.3.1917 and then to the 5th Field Ambulance in France 15.10.1917. From April-June 1916 the 5th and other Division ran a seies of raids on the German trenches in the Villers-Bretonneux area. Sykes was wounded in action in the field with a GSW to his thigh 12.6.1918 in this action. He was admitted to the Convalescent Depot at Havre and was taken to the 1st Australian Military Hospital at Harefield, London. Sykes was discharged from hospital 13.7.1918. He was listed for early return to Australia with rheumatism, fit for nursing duties and unfit for active service.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Tras-os-Montes’ from England as nursing staff 8.4.1919
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 15.5.1919.
Discharged 8.3.1920
Final Rank Private 5th Field Ambulance
Medical Condition Invalided with Rheumatism and debility.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Benalla' A24. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB9246
             HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P08559.001
             No 1 Harefield House and Hospital. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P02402.005
             Australian Troops near Villers-Bretonneux April-June 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04828

Information Source 
AWM PB9246. HMAT 'Benalla' A24. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P08559.001. HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P02402.005. No 1 General Hospital. Harefield House and Hospital. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04828. Australian Troops near Villers-Bretonneux April-June 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll George Frederick Sykes
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Sykes George Frederick


Kalgoorlie, WA.

Associated Images