QX6535 Captain Sydney John McKenzie, 2/31st Bn AIF

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/ItemDetail.asp?M=0&B=4838644

In many ways his story of AIF service is ordinary , as well. No VC, no Court Martial. Just a job to be done and he did it. Much the same as thousands of other blokes in World War II, "The Second Show" or "Hitler's War" as they called it. Until it became the "War Against The Japs".

He served in Palestine, Egypt, Syria and then his Battalion came home to fight the Japs in New Guinea.

But there are a few twists in his story that make it intriguing.

Photo taken in UK and sent home dated 25-12-40. The inscription reads, "Thinking of my love, Mac"

• Some of the things that make this story interesting or different.
  • He was enlisted as a Private, QX4572  on 3 November 1939.
  • On 30 November 1939, in Brisbane, he was honourably discharged from the 6th Division 2nd AIF as "Being Medically Unfit For Service Not Occasioned By His Own Default". See below.
  • On 1 Dec 1939 (the very next day) he enlisted again as a Private, QX6535.
  • By 1940 he was a Corporal, then a Sergeant and by the time the Battalion was in Colchester UK he was WO2 Company Sergeant Major (CSM) of B Company.
  • 1941 saw him as a WO1, RSM of a training battalion.
  • He was appointed Lieutenant on 10 November 1941, made a
  • Temporary Captain on 21st July 1943 and
  • was promoted Captain 6th August 1943.
  • His Commission was terminated 19th July 1945.
  • He served most of his time with 2/31st Infantry Battalion AIF but acted as an Instructor and Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) with 25 Infantry Training Battalion for some time in August 1941.
  • He died 27 January 1946 and was cremated at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, NSW.
  • He is commemorated at A.I.F. Wall Niche 26YL.
  • The Scroll of Commemoration from the King is made out to Private S J McKenzie.