Reginald George Sinclair
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1897 |
| Place of Birth | Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Death | 29 Dec 1967, aged 70 |
| Place of Death | Leederville, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 2 months |
| Description |
5'5½" (1.66m) tall ; 120 lbs 54.431 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Locomotive Fireman |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | East Perth, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr George Sinclair |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1062 |
| Date of Enlistment | 12 Jan 1917 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation |
Railway Unit, Section 3 transferred to 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company. |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jan 1917 ‒ 29 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades |
| Date of Return | 21 Jun 1919 ‒ 3 Aug 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Königin Luise |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Jarrahdale Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Enlisted as part of the special enlistment of railway qualified men to provide rail services on the Western Front. Entered camp on 15 Jan 1917 and received modified training only in both Australia (embarked a fortnight after entering camp) and England.
On arrival in Devonport, England, Reg was posted to the St Lucia Barracks at Borden on 27 Mar 1917 and on 11 May 1917 they proceeded overseas to France through Southampton. At this time their unit designation was as the 59th Australian Railway Operating Company, but this was later changed to 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company.
Soon after their arrival in France they were given the role of operating the "Midland Line" north and west of Ypres. Reginald remained with the unit for his entire tour, with the exception of leave periods in the UK between 9 and 25 Aug 1918, and 26 Mar and 9 Apr 1919. He appears to have remained a loco fireman for the entire time despite many of them being redeployed to other duties when the unit's establishment was altered to match that of British units.
Returned to Codford in England from France for the last time on 2 May 1919, and the unit appears to have been processed for return to Australia while at Codford.
Return to Australia also appears to have been as a unit. Discharged by 5th Military District on 10 Sep 1919.
Post War
No marriage registered in WA.
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 Group 4 Augusta, fitter; 1925 No 1 State Mill, Nelson, engine fitter; 1931 - 1934 at 25 Moore street, East Perth, engineer; 1936-37 Treesville, winch driver; 1943 50 Teague street with Gladys Mary, winch driver
Notes
NOK lived in Jarrahdale. The book "The Cold Footed Mob - A History of the 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company" by Tom Goode gives readers a general understanding of the work undertaken by members of this unit.