SCHULZ, John
| Other Name: | Schultz, John |
|---|---|
| Service Number: | 1670 |
| Enlisted: | 20 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 47th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Springsure, Queensland, Australia, 3 February 1894 |
| Home Town: | Aramac, Barcaldine, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station hand |
| Died: | Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 24 August 1969, aged 75 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Rockhampton Crematorium Garden of Remembrance |
| Memorials: | Aramac War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1670, 31st Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 1670, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: '' | |
| 3 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 1670, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane | |
| 26 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 24 May 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 8 Feb 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 11 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 47th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John Julius Schulz was the son of John Julius and Anna Marie Schulz. John was known as ‘Jack’ Schulz to his family and friends. John and his brother, Walter Benjamin Schulz were brought up on a station, Marie Downs, Aramac, Queensland, when they enlisted during 1915 and were both posted to the 31st Battalion, leaving Australia on 3 January 1916. They both transferred to the 47th Battalion during the ‘doubling’ of the AIF in early 1916.
John was promoted to Corporal soon after joining the 47th Battalion and was wounded during the fighting at Pozieres on 7 August 1916. He was evacuated to England with a shrapnel wound to his left knee. He rejoined the 47th Battalion in France in mid-October 1917.
John was recommended for a Military Medal for his work at Goudecourt when on the night of 27 November 1916, after an operation, he remained in the trenches dressing the wounds of wounded men, under very heavy shell fire, and carrying them to a dressing station. He did not receive any recognition by award.
During the early part of 1917, Schulz was promoted to Second Lieutenant, then full Lieutenant. In the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917, John Schulz was awarded a Military Cross, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed great initiative and presence of mind as the attack was about to commence. His Company Commander being killed, he took command and gained his objective, afterwards organizing his company and repelling a counter attack with loss; he was wounded in doing so.'
His wounds were severe, shot through the jaw, the bullet passing through his mouth and neck, removing teeth and part of his tongue. He was evacuated to England and spent many months recovering. It was February 1918 before he rejoined the 47th Battalion at the front.
He was wounded for the third time on 25 March 1918, this time a serious bullet wound to his leg, just above the ankle, which shattered both lower leg bones. He was invalided to Australia a few months later, on 10 June 1918.
John Schulz has 137 pages in his National Archive file, much of taken by the extent of his medical examinations and treatment after suffering three serious wounds.
His brother, 1685 Pte Walter Benjamin Schultz of the same 47th Battalion was awarded a Military Medal for conspicuous bravery at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918. John Schulz married in 1924 and served again during WW2.
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