Robert Leonard Sykes

  General Notes:

Cowra Free Press 17 January 1920: A Fallen Hero
As each Koorawatha soldier returned he was presented by the people with a gold watchand chain as a slight token of their appreciation. But there are those left behind by men who will never return to be considered also, among these being the wife and family of the late Mr Sykes, who made the supreme sacrifice early in the war. The local branch of the Voluntary Worker's Assn has set to work and it is anticipated that it wwill be in a position at no far distant date to hand over to Mrs Sykes a home free of debt. Well done, Koorawatha!

Cowra Free Press 18 August 1919:
In Memorium
SYKES - In fond remembrance of Cpl R L Sykes, killed in action in France, on 9th August, 1918. Aged 25 years. Greater love hath no man than this - who lays down his life for his friends. Inserted by his fond mother in law, sister in law, and brother in law, of Allan Dale, Koorawatha.

SYKES - In ever loving memory of my dear husband and my daddie, Cpl RL Sykes, who was killed in action in France, on 9th August, 1918. Only a photo upon the wall, Only a bundle of letters, Is all that is left for me, But my husband who died for his country, Ever lives in my memory. Inserted by his loving wife and little son, Arthur, Allan Dale, Koorawatha.

Australian War Memorial Roll Of Honour Database:
Robert Leonard Sykes
Number: 6641A Rank: Private Unit 17th Bn Aust Inf Army
Memorial panel 84, Cemetery position France 526 Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres

From the National Archives database: SYKES Robert Leonard : Service Number - 6641 : Place of Birth - Hay NSW : Place of Enlistment - Goulburn NSW : Next of Kin - (Wife) O'NEILL Mollie Ireina.
Robert was a plumber at the time of enlistment in 1916.

Robert married Mollie Ireina Duffey, daughter of James Duffey and Harriet Osborne, in 1916 in Goulburn, NSW Australia. (Mollie Ireina Duffey was born in 1895 in Cowra, NSW Australia and died on 8 Apr 1968 in Cowra, NSW Australia.)