Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

             Curt Cassebohm | History Biography

                                                         By Liem Pham

Before the War

Curt Cassebohm was born on January 27th, 1888, in Kent Town in the inner suburbs of Adelaide. Curt stood at an average height of 5’7.5 (1.74cm) with brown hair, blue eyes, and a fair skin complexion. He had a simple life, living with his parents, going to church every Sunday to pray[1], socializing with friends in Norwood. Curt was a motor salesman at just 21, taking over his father’s company.

When he was 25 years old, young Curt got married to Florence Cassebohm, they had a 2-year-old baby. A few years later, on 2nd of February 1918, Curt enlisted for the war (with no war experience) from the influence of his friends and two cousins Herbert and Fredrick Cassebohm. On the 6th of March 1918, Curt embarked from Adelaide at the age of 29 and was placed in the Flying Corps (2nd class Air Mechanic). [2]

Life in the War/ Western Front

Curt left South Australia and trained in Melbourne (Vic) and a few weeks later he left for England on the Pieter De Coninck ship. While at sea, he suffered from scabies, then, fortunately, arrived in Southampton, England where he served as a transport driver, taking soldiers into the battlegrounds and transporting weapons and food, while experiencing his first taste of war. [3] At this time Curt was discharged as he suffered from influenza, contracted while in the field.

Curt deployed to Parkhouse England in May where he trained with his fellow partners, but on 29th June he got transported to France where he served in Rouen. He was sent to a hospital for recovery.  After Curt recovered in July he returned to being a driver and a backup soldier though he didn’t get to fight like some of the other soldiers.

After the War

After Curt came back from the war, he received 2 medals for his service – The British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. Curt returned from the war safely and lived on with his wife (Florence Cassebohm). His children grew up to take over his motor sales company.[4] Curt’s death date was not recorded.

Anzac Spirit

The Anzac spirit is shown through heroic actions and good qualities shown by Australian soldiers. Curt Cassebohm contributes to the Anzac Spirit because he did things that he had to sacrifice. He is remembered today by his family and friends as a hero and a man who wouldn’t give up in times of trouble. Curt put his body on the line and believed that keeping his country safe was a top priority.

Bibliography

Image of Kent Town Hotel 2016, Photograph, Kent Town, accessed 10 April 2018, https://www.google.com.au/search?safe=strict&biw=1275&bih=710&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=ySOzWtmtNJLQ8wWmtKyQDQ&q=kent+town&oq=kent+town&gs_l=psy-ab.3.0j0i8i30k1j0i24k1.101168.105581.0.105733.8.7.1.0.0.0.208.1009.0j2j3.5.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab.2.6.1022...0i13k1.0.zW0m-k2fViw#imgrc=i50dTmhdZ3aY-M:

Research a Soldier 2014, RSL war memorial, accessed 10 April 2018, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/rslvwm/comfy/cms/files/files/000/001/004/original/ResearchProfile_WWI.pdf

[1] https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/schools/resources/research-a-soldier

[2] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3218715

[3] https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/rslvwm/comfy/cms/files/files/000/001/004/original/ResearchProfile_WWI.pdf