Sydney Jensen was working as a labourer when he was chosen by ballot to join the 24th Infantry Battalion of the 2nd NZEF in 1941. He joined the Battalion in Italy and the following, from its Official History, seems to describe the action in which he was killed:
Back at Castellare the responsibility for co-ordinating all supporting arms fell upon Major Aked. For two days and nights he had been without sleep or rest, as the officer detailed to relieve him had been unable to do so. Assuming from reports coming in that San Michele must be in German hands, he proposed to organise a counter-attack with the battalion's carrier platoon and Lea's men who had recently got back to Castellare. A liaison officer, however, arrived from 6 Brigade and told Aked that the counter-attack would be carried out by a company of 25 Battalion. Accordingly, at 1 a.m. on 30 July this company went forward after a preliminary bombardment and occupied San Michele without meeting any resistance.
Our bombardment fell heavily on the house occupied by 17 Platoon, whose men left the second story and sheltered as best they might in the ground floor. The house soon began to collapse, and several men were buried by falling rubble. Already wounded earlier in the day, Corporal Court performed gallant work in digging them out, and only desisted when knocked unconscious by a shell burst. He was awarded the MM. When at length B Company of 25 Battalion arrived on the scene, two men had been buried and killed by falling masonry.
ROLL OF HONOUR
JENSEN. Sydney Joseph, 45287, killed in action Italy 30th July. 1944. dearly beloved third son of Mr C. Jensen, Milton Grove. Nelson; aged 30 years. -Nelson Evening Mail, 12/8/1944.
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