Sydney was in the Royal Australian Navy during World War 2 and saw service on HMAS Canberra. He was one her when sunk on 9 August 1942 off Saro Island in the Solomon Islands. Later Sydney was placed on HMAS Swan which was on escort duty. He was on the Swan in Darwin the day the town was attacked. At the time of the Japanese bombing, the stern of the Swan was hit by a torpedo after which she was deliberately beached and was later towed to Queensland for repair. Later the Swan took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Sydney worked in the engine room as a leading stoker.

After the war Sydney worked as a plant operator at Polar Dairies in Geelong, Victoria. He then went into business for himself, running a milk bar/delicatessen for eight years. He then worked for Rohn and Hass in the refrigerator boiler and treatment plant, which makes a product for paint bases. He retired after twelve years there.