Alice Springs RSL, neighbour pay tribute to ‘legend’ Sydney Kinsman, who died at age 100

The Alice Springs community is expected to come together to farewell Sydney Kinsman in a moving funeral next week.

THE Alice Springs community has paid tribute to “legend” and “beautiful human” Sydney ‘Syd’ Kinsman who has died just weeks out from his 101st birthday.

The Territory’s oldest veteran, Syd served in WWII and was one of the last living ‘Rats of Tobruk’ — a nickname given to tens of thousands of soldiers who held the Libyan port of Tobruk in 1941.

He was born in Thebarton, South Australia on July 2, 1921 and on died on June 15.

Syd enlisted at just 19 years old.

He was taken prisoner in July 1942 during the Battle of El Alamein in Egypt and remained in prisoner of war camps in Italy.

He escaped to Switzerland in 1943 before being repatriated to Australia the next year.

Syd’s funeral will be held at 11am on June 27 at the Alice Springs Garden Cemetery Chapel.

He was a vocal advocate for veterans, often speaking out on Anzac Day.

“You remember your mates,” he told the NT News in 2021.

“So much goes through your head about the job you had to do over there and losing your mates, and you even lose them after you come back home.

“On the day you feel sad but you feel happy you’ve got your family all around you, so you have a lovely day.”

Syd was happy to see a Royal Commission into Defence personnel suicides but last year said it should have happened long ago.

“Some of the veterans, they just lose their way in life and they need someone to take care of them and listen to their problems,” he said.

“I’m very disappointed it’s taken so long.”

Sydney Kinsman lost count of how many times he appeared in the Centralian Advocate since he moved to town in 1948. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

RSL Alice Springs President Chris Clark said Syd was a legend in Australian Military history, who fought in the deserts of Africa in World War II.

“After the siege of Tobruk in 1941, he continued fighting through North Africa before being captured at El Alamein and detained as a POW in 1942.

“After being held in several POW camps in Italy, he escaped in 1943, crossing the Alps into Switzerland where he stayed for over a year before returning to his unit in 1944 and eventually discharging from the Army in 1945.”

Mr Clark said the ‘Rat of Tobruk’ served his local community in Alice Springs and had a positive impact.

“At the completion of the WWII Mr Kinsman returned to South Australia before moving to and settling in Alice Springs, where he has lived for the past 74 years,” he said.

“He is one of the most respected and beloved figures in the community, having served in numerous organisations including volunteering in the Alice Springs Fire Service, a committee member of the Natalie Gory Pre-School, supporter of the Alice Springs Youth Centre, life member of the Alice Springs Show Society, life member of the Alice Springs RSL, contributor to Legacy and the Salvation Army.”

Longtime neighbour of Mr Kinsman, Karina Akarana, said Syd was a “beautiful human”.

“I lived in the street next door to Syd for 36 years, as a young six-year-old onwards he made his home accessible to the public on special celebrated occasions,” she said.

“Such a beautiful human, he will be missed.”

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison dropped in on Sydney Kinsman ahead of Anzac Day this year. Picture: James Brickwood

When Sydney turned 100 last year, his daughter Trisha Bruce said a local baker worked on the veteran’s cake for six hours straight out of respect and he also received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison dropped in on Syd during ahead of Anzac Day this year.

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