Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George James Schemmell

Born: 24 April 1885

Strathalbyn, South Australia

Died: 23 March 1960

Adelaide, South Australia

Aged: 74 years

Burial:

26 March 1960

West Terrace Cemetery

Kendrew Oval, Row 21A, Site 47

Last residence: Ferryden Park, South Australia

Early Life

George James Schemmell was born on 24 April 1885 at Strathalbyn, South Australia, the son of James Schemmell (1860–1940) and Ellen Schemmell (née Ansell) (1858–1931). He grew up in the Strathalbyn district during a period of agricultural and industrial development and later trained as a brickmaker, a skilled and physically demanding trade.

George was a member of the Methodist Church, a faith that also shaped much of the social life of the district.

First Marriage and Family

On 11 February 1911, at the residence of her father near Strathalbyn, George married Ellen Olive Knight (1892–1917), daughter of William Knight and Florence Ellen Knight (née Street). George was 25 years old; Ellen was just 18.

The couple settled in the Strathalbyn and Belvidere districts and had three children:

Douglas George Schemmell (born 1912)
Dorothy Lola Schemmell (born 1914)
Grace Florence Schemmell (born 16 May 1917)
Tragedy struck the family in July 1917, when Ellen died suddenly at the age of 25, only eight weeks after the birth of their youngest child.

First World War Service

George enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 3 July 1916, aged 31. At the time of enlistment he was living at Strathalbyn, working as a brickmaker, and was recorded as married.

Service number: 2668
Rank: Private
Unit: 5th Pioneer Battalion (Reinforcement 5)
Religion: Methodist
He embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 21 September 1916 and served in England and France during 1917. Pioneer battalions undertook vital construction and engineering work close to the front lines, often under dangerous conditions.

While George was serving overseas, he received news that his wife Ellen had died, leaving three very young children aged between seven weeks and four years.

Compassionate Return to Australia

In July 1917, George formally applied for return to Australia on compassionate grounds. In a handwritten statement from France, he explained that there were no relatives able to care for his children, that his mother was elderly and unwell, and that he feared his children would otherwise be placed into State care.

His application was supported by fellow soldiers and officers and was approved by military authorities. George returned to Australia on 27 August 1917 and was honourably discharged on 3 November 1917, his character recorded as “Good.”

His return was explicitly for family reasons, not disciplinary or medical grounds, and stands as a clear example of wartime compassion exercised by the AIF.

Second Marriage and Later Family

Following his return to civilian life, George later married Miriam Violet Mitchell (1897–1983), daughter of Alfred Murray Mitchell and Rose Ethelwin Mitchell (née Smith).

Together they raised a large family. Their children included:

Violet Jean Schemmell (1921–1975)
Elsa Irene Schemmell (1923–2013)
Gwendoline Joyce Schemmell (1926–1995)
Phyllis Miriam Schemmell (1928–2017)
Kevin James Schemmell (1930–2017)
Kingsley John Schemmell (1935–1958)
Desmond Barry Schemmell (1938–2001)

George experienced further family loss during his lifetime, including the death of his son Kingsley at just 23 years of age in 1958.

Later Life and Death

George lived his later years in Adelaide’s western suburbs and was residing at Ferryden Park at the time of his death. He died on 23 March 1960, aged 74, and was buried at West Terrace Cemetery, one of South Australia’s principal burial grounds.

Commemoration

George James Schemmell’s wartime service was formally recognised by his community. He is commemorated on:

Belvidere WWI Roll of Honour
Strathalbyn District Roll of Honour (WWI)
These memorials reflect his strong ties to the Strathalbyn–Belvidere district and his contribution to the First World War effort.

Legacy

George James Schemmell’s life was marked by service, responsibility, and resilience. He answered the call to war, endured the sudden loss of his first wife while overseas, returned home to raise three bereaved children, and later rebuilt his family life. His compassionate return case stands as a deeply human wartime record, and his legacy lives on through the many branches of the Schemmell family in South Australia.

∼First World War Service

George James Schemmell

George James Schemmell enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 3 July 1916 at Adelaide, South Australia, during the most demanding period of Australia’s involvement in the First World War. He was 31 years old at the time of enlistment and was living at Strathalbyn, where he worked as a brickmaker, a skilled trade well suited to the heavy labour required of pioneer units.

At enlistment, George was recorded as:

Marital status: Married
Religion: Methodist
Next of kin: His wife, Mrs Ellen Olive Schemmell, Belvidere via Strathalbyn, South Australia

He was allotted Service Number 2668 and posted to the 5th Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 5, with the rank of Private.

Embarkation and Overseas Service

George embarked for overseas service from Adelaide aboard HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 21 September 1916, as recorded on AWM Embarkation Roll 14/17/3. After arrival in England, he underwent further training before proceeding to the Western Front.

In April 1917, George was sent to France, where he served with the 5th Pioneer Battalion. Pioneer battalions were specialist units tasked with critical construction and engineering duties in active operational areas. Their work included:

Trench digging and repair
Road and rail construction
Building dugouts and defensive positions
Transporting materials under fire

Although not infantry, pioneer soldiers frequently worked within range of enemy artillery and small-arms fire, and their service was physically demanding and hazardous.

George’s service record describes him as:

Height: 5 feet 5¾ inches
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Light brown

He was assessed as fit for active service and performed his duties satisfactorily, with no disciplinary issues recorded.

Family Tragedy During Service

While George was serving in France, tragedy struck at home. On 10 July 1917, his wife Ellen Olive Schemmell died suddenly at Strathalbyn, aged just 25 years, leaving behind three very young children, the youngest only seven weeks old.

George was notified of her death while still on active service overseas. Faced with the prospect of his children being left without care, he submitted a formal written application on 26 July 1917, requesting permission to return to Australia on compassionate grounds.

In his application, George stated that:

There were no relatives capable of caring for his children
His mother was elderly, in poor health, and already caring for another dependent
His wife’s only relative was unable to assist due to caring responsibilities of her own
He feared his children would otherwise be placed into State care

He emphasised that his request was not an attempt to evade service, but rather a moral obligation as a father to protect his children’s welfare. His statement was supported by corroborating declarations from fellow soldiers and military authorities, who confirmed the legitimacy of his circumstances.

Compassionate Return and Discharge

George’s application was approved by AIF authorities, and he was authorised to return to Australia for family reasons. He departed the United Kingdom and returned to Australia on 27 August 1917.

He was honourably discharged on 3 November 1917, with his conduct assessed as “Good.” His discharge was explicitly recorded as being at his own request due to family circumstances, not for medical or disciplinary reasons.

His total service amounted to:

1 year and 124 days overall
Including overseas service in England and France

Recognition and Commemoration

Although his service was curtailed by extraordinary personal circumstances, George James Schemmell’s contribution was formally recognised by his community. His name appears on:

Belvidere WWI Roll of Honour
Strathalbyn District Roll of Honour (WWI)
These memorials acknowledge both his service overseas and the sacrifice he made in returning home to care for his bereaved children.

Service Summary

Service Number: 2668
Rank: Private
Unit: 5th Pioneer Battalion (Reinforcement 5)
Enlisted: 3 July 1916
Embarked: 21 September 1916, HMAT Commonwealth
Theatres of service: England, France
Returned to Australia: 27 August 1917
Discharged: 3 November 1917
Reason for discharge: Compassionate return – family responsibilities

Historical Significance

George James Schemmell’s military record stands as a powerful example of the human cost of war. His service illustrates not only the physical demands placed on Australian soldiers overseas, but also the devastating impact of war on families at home. His compassionate return case is among the clearest documented examples of the AIF recognising a soldier’s duty not only to the nation, but also to his children.

∼

Sources & Evidence — WWI Service of George James Schemmell

Primary Military Records

National Archives of Australia

Service Dossier – George James Schemmell
Australian Imperial Force
Service Number: 2668
Unit: 5th Pioneer Battalion
Includes enlistment papers, embarkation details, casualty forms, compassionate return application, statutory declarations, and discharge records.

Australian War Memorial

Embarkation Roll: 14/17/3
Ship: HMAT A73 Commonwealth
Date of embarkation: 21 September 1916
Confirms unit, rank, and overseas departure.

Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll, First World War

Confirms rank (Private), unit (5th Pioneer Battalion), and return to Australia in 1917.

Compassionate Return Documentation

National Archives of Australia – Service File Correspondence
Handwritten application dated 26 July 1917 requesting return to Australia on compassionate grounds following the death of his wife.
Includes George James Schemmell’s own statement outlining:
Death of his wife Ellen Olive Schemmell (10 July 1917)
Ages of his three children
Lack of suitable family care
Fear of children entering State care
Supported by corroborating statements and official endorsements.

AIF Administrative & Discharge Forms

Approval of compassionate return
Return to Australia: 27 August 1917
Honourable discharge: 3 November 1917
Character on discharge: “Good”

Civil & Contextual Records (Supporting Evidence)

South Australian Death Registration
Ellen Olive Schemmell (née Knight)
Date of death: 10 July 1917
Confirms the event precipitating the compassionate return.

South Australian Birth Registrations (Children)

Douglas George Schemmell (1912)
Dorothy Lola Schemmell (1914)
Grace Florence Schemmell (16 May 1917)
Supports age statements given in George’s 1917 application.

Memorial & Community Recognition

Belvidere World War I Roll of Honour

Confirms local recognition of George James Schemmell’s service.

Strathalbyn District Roll of Honour (WWI)

Confirms district-level commemoration.

Newspaper Sources

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA)
Death notices and funeral notices relating to family members
Confirms timelines consistent with military and civil records.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 8/02/2026