Darge Photographic Company collection of negatives

Studio portrait of 786 Private (Pte) Sydney Alley, Of Yarraville, Vic (originally of West Heathpool, England). Pte Alley is not listed on the First World War Nominal Roll as he served only in Australia. He originally enlisted on 2 December 1915 but was discharged as medically unfit on 11 February 1916, prior to embarkation. He re-enlisted on 26 May 1916 and served in the depot until he was again discharged as medically unfit on 19 June 1916. He re-enlisted a third time on 16 November 1916. Pte Alley embarked as a member of the 2nd Cyclist Battalion aboard RMS Orontes in Melbourne on 23 December 1916. He disembarked in Fremantle five days later due to illness and was admitted to the No 8 Australian General Hospital. He returned to Melbourne aboard HMAT Ballarat as a stowaway on 11 January 1917. From February through until July 1917 he served at various depots in Victoria until he was again discharged as medically unfit on 7 July 1917.