Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Stanley Henry Schroeder was born on the 26th of June 1892, but he died from wounds received in action in 1916. He had grey eyes and dark brown hair and his status before, during and after the war was single. His parents were: Henry William and Alice Schroeder but he also has another six siblings: Alice, Harry, Lorna, Edna, Allan, and Enid Schroeder. His family/military connections were his brother-in-law: Major Clarence RUMBALL MC, 10th Bn, returned to Australia, 4 December 1918. For Schroeder’s whole life he lived in Tanunda, South Australia and he also went to a public school also located in Tanunda and his religion was Church of England. Before he enlisted to become a soldier his occupation was an assistant. His death notice mentions that he was "an excellent bass singer". His good friend, Pte. Johann Kindler (/explore/people/135023), also of Tanunda, was killed in acton on the same day as Schroeder, and they were probably together.

The 23rd of August 1915 was a special date for Stanley because this is the date that he enlisted to become a WW1 soldier. When enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force, people asked a series of questions that you needed to fill out. These questions included; name, where you were born, your age, what your trade or calling was, who your next of kin is and more. His name was Stanley Henry Schroeder, he was born in Tanunda, South Australia, he was 23 years old when he enlisted, his trade was an assistant and his height was 5 feet 8.24 inches, he weighed 179 lbs, his chest measurement was; 36 inches and his complexion was medium. He passed his medical examination, which meant that he was fit for service and all of this occurred on the 9/8/15 in Adelaide. His nominal roll was private and he was part of the 10th Battalion and the late 27th Battalion. Stanley’s regimental number was 2784. Throughout the war, Schroder’s occupation was also an assistant. The first was in the (late 27th Battalion, 6th reinforcement) and 10th Battalion. His embarkation roll number was 23/44/2.

On the 27/10/1915 he embarked on the HMAT Benalla to head off to Zeitoun. On the 26/2/1916 he arrived at Zeitoun and on this same date, he got allotted to and proceeded to join the 10th Battalion ex 27th Battalion. Two days after arriving in Zeitoun he was taken on strength to the 10th Battalion to Serapeum. On the 20/4/1916 in France were his last days of living because he was wounded in the field. This was also reported by J.M. Lean who was the Captain and the officer in charge. He said in the letter that “No. 2784 Private S.H Schroeder, 10th Battn late 27th Battn has been reported wounded. It is not stated as being serious and in the event of further information coming into hand, you will be promptly notified”. This meaning that Stanley has been wounded but it is not serious and if anything changes he will let the Capitan know as soon as possible. He has shell wounds, head wounds, he was wounded in the abdomen and he also had wrist wounds. On the 21/4/1916 he was taken in the 3rd Field Ambulance somewhere but he, unfortunately, died of wounds received in action. Then, what was left of him was buried in Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery (Plot V, Row B, Grace No. 15), La Gorque, France. Stanley Henry Schroeder was aged 23.10 when he died, but the cemetery records say that he was 24 years of age. His personal effects were sent to his next of kin, his father, who received a bible, diary, wallet, letters, card, photos and a notebook. On the 17th of December 1920, his remains were exhumed and re-interred in the Port de Hem Military Cemetery, which was seven and a half miles South West of Armentieres. During his time in the war, Stanley received several memorials, these include; Australian War Memorial, Roll of Honour and Tanunda District WW1 Honour Board.

The ANZAC Spirit is a concept which suggests that Australian and New Zealand soldiers possess shared characteristics. ANZAC came to stand for the positive qualities which Australians have shown in war. These qualities include patience, courage, good humour, mateship, patriotism and determination. Schroeder has shown all of these qualities through the war, starting with the fact that he was prepared and willing to risk his life and risk seeing his family and friends ever again for the good of his country. Stanley was willing to fight for his country because he believed in it. Stanley died because he was fighting for his country and by him doing all of these things shows ANZAC Spirit. He had given up his life for his country which I think is an amazing thing for anybody to do. Showing patience and courage proves that you can become part of the ANZAC Spirit because you need to have patience and courage to fight in the war and fight for your country and you are also fighting to see your family again and for some, including Stanley they never got to see their families again, which shows courage and patience. By showing that you have a good sense of humour which also means that you can become a part of the ANZAC Spirit because if someone from war is depressed for any reason, you would know how to calm them down and make them feel better. Showing mateship is a very important quality because mateship is all about strong friendships mainly between men, which is a strong bond between you and someone else which is very hard to break. During the war, a lot of mateship was needed because there were people dying and getting wounded everywhere you looked so it would always feel good if someone was there for you as their ‘mate’. Schroeder showed mateship by helping people in need.  During the war, the quality of patriotism was needed a lot because it is all about how much you care about your country and how much you were willing to do for your country. Stanley showed patriotism by fighting and dying for his country. The final quality a person needs to have to become a part of the ANZAC Spirit is to be determined. You need to have this quality of determination simply because being determined is what will get anyone home to see their family. Schroeder shows determination for doing the best he could in all that he achieved, which is shown by him getting on the ‘Roll of Honour’.

In conclusion, Schroeder fought very hard for his country and unfortunately he died, but he died knowing all that he did was for his country and the people who live in it but, most importantly his family. His parents, Henry and Alice, must have been very proud knowing what his son did for his country and for the Schroeder family.