| Syd Perry | |
|---|---|
 Syd Perry and son Jim - year unknown, possibly the depression years | |
| Other Name | Cecil Sidney or Sid sometimes |
| Gender | Male |
| Date Born | 1878 |
| Status | Deceased |
| Date of Death | 1957 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Hometown | Fish Bay Houseboat, Clontarf, Sydney |
| Club | Middle Harbour Yacht Club |
Syd Perry
Both Syd and his son Jim Perry were both named Cecil Sydney Perry, but both couldn't have the same name.
Sid lived on his Perry Houseboat Fisher Bay with his son Jim Perry and his four boys over the years.
Boats Built by Syd
Janaway (with his son Jim Perry)
Note: in many articles Syd is called Sid
Lest We Forget - The "SHY VC and the Homeless Boatbuilder".
Written by Johanna May Perry
25th April 2024
North Balgowlah NSW
Age 48
I feel that Anzac Day is the only day that can do justice to this story.
Today I'll be playing "Two Up" to remember "The SHY VC" and the homeless Boatbuilder Sid PERRY.
Arthur Percy Sullivan VC (Born 1896 and died 1939) was a banker and enlisted in the AIF 1918 for service in WW1. As a Corporal in 1919, the Shy VC discharged from the AIF and enlisted in the British Army to seek active combat. He found himself in Russia as part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. Whilst crossing the Shrika River, his platoon was met with intense fire from the Bolshevik troops resulting in (4) members falling into the river. Sullivan rescued them all from the river (including an officer). Sullivan was awarded the VC for his actions.
Sullivan returned to Manly and was a Banker after his service. With his love for the ocean and a sense of adventure, he decided he wanted a yacht. He wanted the same as the original "Seabird" which was the first small yacht to cross the Atlantic in 1911. The "SHY VC" approached my great grandfather Sid PERRY, who was a boatbuilder on Clontarf Beach NSW. Sid PERRY was homeless with his son Jim (my grandfather) and living in a tent. "The year was 1931 and Clontarf was inhibited by victims of the great depression, all homeless living in tents or humpies". Sid PERRY was one of these inhabitants and seized the opportunity to work and promptly laid the keel and set up the frames near the water's edge at Clontarf.
The newer "Seabird" was launched in 1932 and raced extensively around Sydney Harbour and on the coast of NSW. With the wealth generated from this job, and assistance given by the War Hero, the "SHY VC," Sid PERRY was given the opportunity to buy an ammunition barge and build a house on top at the Spit NSW. The PERRYS were no longer homeless and lived on the ammo barge for around 20 years building numerous yachts for the Middle Harbour Yacht Club founding fleet and others raced at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron Kirribilli.
Our "SHY VC" was chosen to join a contingent of VC winners to attend the Coronation of King George V1 in 1939. He was hounded in London by autograph hunters and well wishes. Trying to avoid this attention, he slipped and hit his head on the footpath and died soon after at age 41. The medals of the "SHY VC" are displayed in the Hall of Valour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Sometimes the most unique collaborations are the most profound. The "SHY VC" helped shape our family here at Manly NSW and gave us a start.
I would also like to thank David Payne, Maritime Museum and the legendary John Stanley OAM for giving me the confidence to tell this story......
Thankyou and LEST WE FORGET.
Source : MHYC The First 60 years. Max Barnett and The Australian War Memorial.
The Shy VC Enlisted Sid Perry to Build his boat
My (Jo Perry) family made a home on the Ammo Barge "Perrys Houseboat" for 20 years at the Spit NSW
Notes | Electoral Roles  In the 1935 Electoral Roles Cecil Sydney Perry and is wife Thelma Dorothy Perry were listed as living in a Houseboat in Fisher Bay, Mosman - refer to the Fisher Bay Houseboat. |