Studio portrait of the Folkes brothers, Sydney John Folkes (left), a labourer from Fynan's Creek, ...

Studio portrait of the Folkes brothers, Sydney John Folkes (left), a labourer from Fynan's Creek, Vic, enlisted in the AIF in August 1915. While in training camp he contracted meningitis and was discharged medically unfit on 17 February 1916. Folkes re-enlisted on 4 April 1916 and was assigned the service number 1287 and posted to D company, 39th Battalion, AIF. He sailed to England from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ascanius (A11). After further training in England Folkes joined his Battalion in France in November 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1917, during the Second Battle of Passchendaele. The recommendation for the award reads, 'On 12 October 1917, East of YPRES, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. After all Company runners had been wounded he volunteered to act as a runner in the Forward Area where the shell-fire was intense. Not only did he do this, but when the MG [machine gun] men were digging in, he assisted and his courage and cheerfulness were a fine example to all who saw him.' Folkes was promoted to Lance Corporal in December 1917, to Corporal in June 1918, and to Sergeant in July 1918. He was awarded a bar to his Military Medal in August 1918 during the final offensives on the Hindenberg Line in France. The recommendation reads, ' At CLERY-sur-SOMME on 31st August 1918, for gallantry and devotion to duty. He handled the Lewis gun himself and led his men forward against several machine guns which he captured. He then led his men forward to the final objective and having got into touch with the party on his left, established and consolidated the position'. Folkes was killed in action on, 1 October 1918, and is buried at the Prospect Hill Cemetery near Gouy. Sydney's brothers, 1228 Ptrivate George Allan, 39th Battalion (centre) and 4772 Private Charles Edward, 22nd Battalion (right), both survived the war and returned to Australia.