Students at the University of Sydney

Students and World War I

The Sydney University Company 1918

The committee of the Undergraduates' Association, feeling that a more organised effort would be of advantage, attempted the task of raising among the undergraduates a University Company, the members of which might be trained together and travel together to the seat of war before being divided as reinforcements required by the various units.

The committee enlisted the sympathy and services of Assistant Professor Holme as honorary organiser of the company.

The effort was very successful, with 180 joining the company after medical examination.

By permission of the military authorities, the company went into camp on the University grounds on 23 September 1918. They were placed under the charge of Captain Robert Rainy Harper, DSO Croix de Guerre, of the 20th battalion of the A.I.F., a returned University man unfit for further active service, and Lieut. H. Heydon, and attained to a high degree of efficiency, reflecting credit on their officers.

The company were removed to Liverpool for further training on 25 October 1918, and were to remain there until their embarkation on 16 November.

However, after the signing of the armistice on 11 November 1918, they were disbanded for the time.

The Sydney University Company logo, photo G3_224_0531, University of Sydney Archives.

Sydney University Company at camp on the University Oval in 1918, photo, University of Sydney Archives.

Student soldiers in camp on the University Oval in 1918, photo, University of Sydney Archives.

The first voluntary parade of the Sydney University Company before enlistment, 1918, photo, University of Sydney Archives.