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AUSTRALIAN GUNNER

OBITUARY RESOURCE
 
         
         
 
 
       
 
 

Major Sidney Norman Penhaligon,

MBE (Retd)

 

 

 
 
   

By Christopher Jobson

 

 

         
Print Version        
  Sidney Norman Penhaligon was born in Auburn, New South Wales, on 25 January 1924. He left school at the age of 14 and worked in a local grocery shop. Later he went to a night school for two years, gaining a leaving certificate, and then, many years later, he commenced a part-time course at Canberra University, where he received a degree in Business Management.

Sid joined the Citizen Military Forces in 1940 and became a full-time duty member in 1941. He served in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) from February 1943 until November 1945. He met Marie, his wife, in 1943 and they married the next year, in 1944.

After the War Sid had a number of jobs and completed a two-year course in wool classing. He then joined the Australian Regular Army in October 1950.

He had numerous postings over the years and his first posting to Light Anti-Aircraft Artillery, 111th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, was in mid-1957. His postings included 18th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, the School of Artillery, Headquarters Northern Territory Command, 1st Field Regiment, Army Headquarters, and the Joint Services Staff College.
 
 
 
Sid had operational service in both Japan and Korea in late 1953, serving in the 28th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade Headquarters, and he served as the RSM of 1st Field Regiment and the Task Force Sergeant-Major, in South Vietnam over the period March 1969 – March 1970.
In 1972 Sid was granted a commission, as a lieutenant, and in 1978 he was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his service as the Administration Officer at the Joint Services Staff College. 

After discharging from the Army, with the rank of major, in January 1979, Sid became the Secretary/Manager of the Royal Canberra Golf Club and he later worked at Parliament House with the Department of the House of Representatives. During this time he was given the task of planning the move from the then Parliament House into the new Parliament House building.

The last five years of Sid’s life were very challenging. His eye-sight deteriorated, culminating in blindness, and his hearing impairment and cancer affected his quality of life, but with strong determination and his amazing organizational ability , and a group of wonderful carers and friends, he was able to enjoy his final days with a reasonable quality of life.

Sid died on 5th March 2021 and his last years were spent in Canberra’s Adria Nursing Home. Sid’s wife, Marie, passed-away some years earlier, and they had a daughter, Michelle, and three sons, David, Dennis and Ian. They also had eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Sid had three sisters, Catherine and Penny, both of whom have died, and Patricia.

       

Sid Penhaligon was an extremely professional Gunner, a very kind person with a lovely sense of humour, and a thorough gentleman.

Acknowledgements:

The following have provided information, photos and character to this Obituary:
  • Michele Cornwell (Daughter of Sid Penhaligon)
  • David Penhaligon
  • Major General J.P Stevens AO (Retd)
       
       
 
 
 
 

 

       
         
         
         
         
         
         
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