Royal Engineer Commandoes, Service no. 1882893
Born: 2nd November 1914. Died of wounds: 9th October 1943, aged 28
Story
Sydney’s parents were Joshua Greaves (1882-1955) and Dora Philips (1882-1945). Joshua had served in the Royal Army Service Corp in the First World War, and Dora was born at Providence Place, Kippax. The couple married on 18th December 1907 in Castleford, and Sydney was born at 8 St. Nicholas Street, Castleford. Before the war, he worked as a joiner for his grandfather’s firm, Messrs G. Greaves & Sons, of Bancroft Road, Castleford.
Sydney volunteered for service in the first month of the War, and spent two and a half years in Africa. Whilst on leave, he returned to Castleford in 1940 and married Ethel Johnson (1915-1990), and they lived at Beech House, Churchfields Lane, Castleford. Ethel was a registered nurse, having qualified on 10th March 1939 following two years of working at Seacroft General Hospital. The couple had a daughter Janet in 1941.
Corporal Greaves joined the No.1 Special Boat Service, S.A.S Regiment A.A.C., which conducted sabotage operations on the enemy by stealth. He was part of Operation Albumen, which is described by David Sutherland in ‘He Who Dares’. The operation was led by Commanding Officer Major Lord Jellicoe, and was a combined S.B.S. raid on three airfields in Crete in June 1943. The operation received many awards including a Military Medals for Sydney Greaves, for ‘gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East.’ Sydney died of wounds four months later, and is buried at Rhodes War Cemetery, grave 3 A 3, pictured. His widow, Ethel, received £207 9s 6d in recompense, and moved to Micklebrook, Menston Old Lane, Burley-in-Wharfedale with her 2 years-old daughter. She re-married George Vernon Yeadon in 1950.
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