Veteran Pte. Sydney Hale

   Private Sydney Hale was born on May 3^rd, 1886 in Westville, Nova Scotia, to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hale. As the son of a former mayor, he was also the sibling of three brothers and five sisters: George T. Hale, William Hale, John Hale, Mrs. Francis White, Mrs. Millidge Haslam, Mrs. James Broadbent, Miss Lucy Hale, and Miss Emily Hale.
   He married another Westville native, Jean Darroch, and together they had four children: Harry, Tom, Andrew, and Robert.
    Sydney enlisted with the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade, 193^rd Battalion, on March 11^th, 1916. He arrived overseas, via the S.S. Olympic, on October 18^th, 1916. On the 29^th of December, 1916, he was transferred to the Cape Breton Highlanders, 185^th Battalion. He transferred again in 1918 on March 1^st to the 85^th Battalion.
    Sydney Hale was killed in action on September 2^nd, 1918. His passing was described by his leader, Major J. M. Millar, as follows:
“Although protected by good cover, [Pte. Hale] left it and crossed an open space under very heavy Machine Gun fire, to dress a wounded soldier. His action doubtlessly saved the life of his comrade. Throughout the whole operation he carried on with the greatest coolness and courage till he himself was wounded.”
   Private Sydney Hale was buried in the Dury Mill British Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France. For a time, a wooden cross stood in his honor at home in Westville’s St. Bee’s Church cemetery. For his courage, Sydney was awarded the Military Medal on September 11^th, 1918. I am genuinely proud to call his hometown my own and be recognized as his great great niece.


Amanda Rundle