KRUSS, Jasper Clifford
| Service Number: | 2709 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 July 1915, Keswick, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Fremantle, Western Australia, 20 May 1890 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Caretaker |
| Died: | Died of Wounds, Rouen, France, 31 July 1916, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen Grave Reference: B. 34. 8. Grave no 2987, St Sever Cemetery, Haute-Normandie, France |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Adelaide St John's Anglican Church Memorial Tablet, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Jul 1915: |
Involvement
AIF WW1, Private, 2709, 27th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' |
|
|---|---|---|
| 21 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Keswick, South Australia | |
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2709, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Adelaide | |
| 31 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2709, 10th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 2709 awm_unit: 10 Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-07-31 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 27th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
Captain Edmund Andreas KRUSS brother of Jasper
Edmund Andreas KRYSS, he changed his name from KRUSS after WW1 was a brother of Jasper Clifford KRUSS.
Edmund Andreas KRUSS served in WW1 as a captain in the United States Army Air Corps and was seconded to the Italian Army, where he flew bombing raids over the Austrian lines.
Prescott Evening Courier, Saturday, June 4, 1932.
Captain Kryss Passes Beyond
Edmund Andreas Kryss, well known in Prescott and Whipple, died at one-thirty o’clock this morning on Ward Four from injuries resulting from brilliant service overseas during the World war. He was forty-three years old.
Anticipating that he had not long to live, when he re-entered the hospital early in May, Captain Kryss told the hospital authorities and also one of his closest friends, L. A. Fitzpatrick, manager of the Yavapai club, that he wanted to be buried in the Whipple cemetery.
In all probability there will be joint services early next week of the Prescott Elks Lodge , No. 330, of which he was a member, and of the Ernest A. Love post of the American Legion and the Fort Whipple chapter of the Disabled American Veterans of the World war, with which he was also affiliated with.
His military service extended from the Mexican border when Pancho Villa was giving so much trouble, to France and the Austrian frontier during the World war, in each instance as an aviator. For eight months in the great war he was attached to the air service of Italy as a representative of the United States army and for valorous duty on numerous dangerous but daring bombing raids over the Austrian lines he was made a chevalier of the Order of the Crown of Italy. The decree reads;
“His Majesty , Victor Emmanuel, 111, by the grace of God and the will of the nation King of Italy, Grand Master of the Order of the Crown of Italy, has signed the following decree:
“ ’On the recommendations of our minister, secretary of state for foreign affairs , we have appointed and do appoint Edmund Kryss , captain of the American army, chevalier of the Order of the Crown of Italy, with the privilege of wearing the insignia prescribed for such knightly rank.
“‘The registrar of the order is charged with the execution of this decree which shall be recorded in the register of the order.
“’Given at Rome, October 2, 1919.’”
The decree is signed “V. Emmanuel,” countersigned by Tittoni and vised by P. Boselli. And then follows this inscription: “The registrar of the Order of the Crown of Italy declares that in execution of the foregoing esteemed royal order, the aforesaid Edmund Kryss was inscribed in the roll of chevaliers (foreign) at No. 3554 (second series) and issues this diploma to him in attestation thereof. Rome, December 31, 1920. The registrar of the order, P. Boselli, the director, chairman of division one (signature illegible).”
Captain Kryss also held an “expert aviation” license from the Aero Club of America, sole representation of the Federation Aeronatique Internationale, under date of June 20, 1917, while a sergeant in the New York national guard.
He was born in Adelaide, Australia, November 18, 1888. In 1912 he came to the United States for the purpose of studying business methods and the intention of remaining in this country only two months but he never returned to his native land. Rather, he was naturalised in San Diego.
In October, 1915, he enlisted in the New York national guard, in New York city. His assignment was to the air service of the signal corps and in that capacity he was sent to the Mexican border. Later he was on detached service as an instructor for the regular army in flying at North Island, San Diego. After the war broke out, or in March, 1918, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the air corps of the regular army, served for a period in France, and then was attached to the Italian army for a period of eight months. Afterward he returned to France and then came directly to Fort Whipple for treatment. When Whipple was changed from an army hospital to a public health service hospital, Captain Kryss was sent to Fitzsimmons hospital just out of Denver. He received his army discharge May 29, 1920.
He then went to Chicago and attempted to work as a machinery salesman but his health would not permit such activities and he entered the Hines hospital in Chicago, thence to Letterman General hospital in San Francisco and, in 1924, back to Whipple for another four years. In 1929 he came downtown to live in the Hassayampa hotel for more than a year and in December 1930 he removed his residence to the Yavapai club, where lived until the first part of last month, when he was forced to enter Whipple for the third time. His condition had then become serious and rapidly went from bad to worse. The last few days he had been unable to receive friends except for a couple or three minutes at a time.
Before his war service he was a truck salesman for the Packard Motor company in New York and Boston. He was married but divorced four years ago. His hobbies were fishing and hunting. A brother of Captain Kryss was killed in France while serving with the Australian army. Two sisters survive, Mrs. A. E. Freer of Walkerville, South Australia, and another whose name is not known here, who lives in Adelaide.
He had numerous friends, by nature he was quiet and unassuming, never complaining about his lot nor boasting of his valiant service to his adopted country.
Submitted 14 August 2014 by Al Staunton
THE LATE PRIVATE J. C. KRUSS.
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889-1931) Thursday 17 August 1916 Page 8
THE LATE PRIVATE J. C. KRUSS.
Private Jasper C. Kruss, who was killed in action in France early in August, was the second son of Mr. E. A. Kruss, 405, Carrington street, Adelaide. He was born in 1890, and prior to enlisting was caretaker of Gay's Arcade sample rooms. He possessed a most pleasing disposition, and in consequence of his many good qualities was endeared to a large circle of friends. He proved a brave and fearless soldier a type of the Australian hero, and much sympathy is extended to the bereaved family. He was a good athlete and on leaving for the front resigned the vice-captaincy of the South Adelaide Cricket Club and the Cornwall 11 and Victoria Park Football Clubs, positions which he had filled with much credit.
Submitted 14 August 2014 by Al Staunton
Biography
Jasper Clifford KRUSS was the son of Edmund Andreas KRUSS and Caroline Eleanora REESE. To me he is a 1st Cousin twice removed.
Jasper was born in Fremantle in 1890.
The family moved to South Australia and Lived at 205 Carrington Street, Adelaide. Jasper was employed as a caretaker at Gays Arcade, Adelaide.
He enlisted in South Australia at Keswick on the 2 August, 1915 with the 6th reinforcements of the 27th Battalion and assigned the service number 2709, with the rank of Private, and embarked embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on 27 October 1915.
On the 27 February, 1916 in Serapeum, Egypt, he was transferred to the 10th Battalion and sailed with it from Alexandria, Egypt, disembarking in Marseilles, France on the 3 March 1916.
Jasper was wounded in action during the battle of Pozieres, France, 25 July, 1916 and died at No 5 General Hospital, Rouen, France on 31 July 1916. He was buried 2897 St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France, in grave number 2897.
Lest We Forget
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
"THE LATE PRIVATE J. C. KRUSS.
Private Jasper C. Kruss, who was killed in action in France early in August, was the second son of Mr. E. A. Kruss, 405, Carrington-street, Adelaide. He was born in 1890, and prior to enlisting was caretaker of Gay's Arcade sample rooms. He possessed a most pleasing disposition, and in consequence of his many good qualities was endeared to a large circle of friends. He proved a brave and fearless soldier — a type of the Australian hero, and much sympathy is extended to the bereaved family. He was a good athlete and on leaving for the front resigned the vice-captaincy of the South Adelaide Cricket Club and the Cornwall II, and Victoria Park Football Clubs, positions which he had filled with much credit." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 26 Aug 1916 (nla.gov.au)
Biography contributed
Completed by Ceduna Area School
Jasper Clifford KRUSS also known as Jaspan Clifford, was the second son of Edmund Andreas KRUSS and Elenora Carolina KRUSS, the family undertook the religion of the Church of England. Edmund served in WW1 as a captain in the United States Army Air Corps and was seconded to the Italian Army, where Edmund flew over Austrian Lines tossing over multiple bombing raids. Jasper is my fourth great uncle on my mother’s side.
Jasper was born in Fremantle Perth, Western Australia, in 1890, his family moved to South Australia and lived at 205 Carrington Street, Adelaide. Jasper was originally employed as a caretaker of Gay’s Arcade Sample Rooms, Adelaide (Virtual War Memorial Australia, 2014). Jasper had the benefits of his overall enjoyable personality. Jasper had endeared a large group of close friends that Jasper cherished every moment with. Jasper has proved to be courageous and fearless soldier, a soldier that one would call the Australian hero. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved family. Jasper was talented at the sports he undertook. Jasper had accomplished the Vice-Captaincy if the South Australian Cricket Club, a position that he had filled with extreme pride and honor. (Virtual War Memorial Australia, 2014)
Jasper had taken the oath to enlist at Keswick on the 2nd of August 1915 with the 6th reinforcements of the 27th battalion and assigned the service number 2709, with the rank of Private, and embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board H.M.A.T A24 Benalla, Adelaide, on 27th October 1915 (National Archives of Australia, 2024).
Jasper had started his battling career amid the spring on 27th of October 1915 (National Archives of Australia, 2024). Jasper hadn’t embarked at Pozieres/Mouquet Farm located in northern France, Jasper instead pursued the H.M.A.T, Voyage of H.M.A.T A24 Benalla, as he wasn’t yet deployed on the Pozieres mission. The HMAT departed from Adelaide, South Australia, on October 27th, 1915. Later, on November 1st, 1915, H.M.A.T departed from Fremantle, Western Australia.
Jasper was soon deployed to Alexandria, Egypt, on the 27th of March,1916, Jaspers last act of service was for the ANZAC’s, departure from Adelaide, South Australia, to battle at Pozieres/Mouquet Farm after he was originally drafted in 1915.
On the 27th of March,1916, Jasper was given a directive to "proceed to join B. 37" as indicated in Figure 10, (Battalion 37). He later disembarked in Marseille, France on the 3rd of April,1916. Before disembarking Jasper was located in Alexandria, Egypt, with the 37th Battalion. Jasper fighting for his life to save vital shipping routes as well as defend the Suez Canal and the Sinai Peninsula (National Archives of Australia, 2024)
By now 27th July 1916, Jasper was part of the action (National Archives of Australia, 2024). Near the French village of Pozieres, the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) lost many men over the few weeks as it did over 8 months on Gallipoli. The First attack began at 12:30 am on Sunday 23rd July which Jasper was not yet fighting in. The Australian 1st Division Seized the German front and reached the main road through Pozieres an hour later. The Germans had then counter-attacked the Australian Imperial Force at dawn but the Australian’s managed to draw them off. Pozieres was destroyed to the extent of rubble through these short weeks. As the 2nd Australian Division had arrived and took over the rubble town by 27th of July and was ordered to capture the rocky heights of Pozieres. The attack started at 12:15 am on 29th July but the Germans were ready this attack costed the Australian’s over 3500 casualties. The Australian Commander in Charge of the 2nd Division, Major General James Legge (Australian Government, Department of Veteran Affairs, 2020) Insisted on the fact that his men could attack again rather than be withdrawn after the heights of casualties. After an intense artillery bombardment of German positions on the 4th of August 1916, the Australian Troops had seized Pozieres rubble. The extremely exhausted 2nd Division was relieved by the Australian 4th Division, Jasper was a part of this Division. After being deployed from Adelaide he had finally made his way to the rubble that stood beneath his feet. For the next 10 long days the continuous action never stopped, The Australian’s had moved up North along Pozieres ridge, when they reached Mouquet Farm the 4th Division was withdrawn and rested. The Germans had held the ground of Mouquet Farm until 26th of September 1916. Throughout the course of the 10-day battle, Jaspers Division tragically suffered the loss of his life while valiantly fighting for the ANZACs. Jasper's untimely demise occurred mere days after his arrival in France. Given the severe injuries to Jasper's head, it is likely that he would have died instantly. Jasper's demise was a tragic event for everyone involved. Jasper was laid to rest in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, located in northern France, Haute-Normandie France. Jaspers grave reference is B. 34. 8 Grave NO. 2987.
Jasper tragically passed away at the age of 26 on July 31st, 1916. He was just two months into his 26th year, a time when he exemplified bravery and courage.
Jasper was awarded multiple medals for his service during his enlistment, including the British War Medal, the 1914-15 star, the Victory Medal, the Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal (Australian Government Defense), and the Somme Medal awarded by the French government (Kruss, M, 2024). After Jasper was killed in Rouen, France, due to wounds from the head and arms, his parents had received the Dead Mans Penny, the Dead Mans Penny is a bronze medallion that were used to commemorate the people that passed away during the war. Jasper had passed away in the late days of July, causing heartbreak amongst not only his family but friends that held Jasper close to their hearts.
Reference list:
· Naa.gov.au. (2015). Session expired | RecordSearch | National Archives of Australia. [online]
Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/ItemsListing.aspx.
· Vwma.org.au. (2024b). Jasper Clifford KRUSS. [online]
Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/231989.
· corporateName =Department of Veterans’ Affairs; address=21 Genge St, C.C. (2020c). Battle of Pozières 23 July to 3 September 1916 | Anzac Portal. [online] anzacportal.dva.gov.au.
Available at: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/where-australians-served/western-front/battle-of-pozieres.
· www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). | The Australian War Memorial. [online]
Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E84338.
· Awm.gov.au. (2024a). ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, 1915-04-29. THE WHARF AT ALEXANDRIA, SHOWING AMBULANCES WAITING TO TAKE FROM ... [online]
Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C203658 [Accessed 5 Sep. 2024].
· Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Rouen | France. [online]
Available at: https://www.britannica.com/place/Rouen.
· scheme =AGLSTERMS. AglsAgent; corporateName=Commonwealth of Australia, D. of D. address=Russell O. (n.d.). World War One 1914-1918 | ADF Members & Families | Defence. [online] www.defence.gov.au.
Available at: https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/honours-awards/medals/imperial-awards/world-war-one.
· www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). 34th Australian Infantry Battalion. [online]
Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51474.
· corporateName =Department of Veterans’ Affairs; address=21 Genge St, C.C. (2024). First Australian Imperial Force in World War I | Anzac Portal. [online] anzacportal.dva.gov.au.
Available at: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/australian-imperial-force.
· Wikitree.com. (2023b). Category: HMAT A24 Benalla, Nov 1915. [online]
Available at: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:HMAT_A24_Benalla%2C_Nov_1915.
· Forces War Records (2024). Search. [online] Forces War Records.
Available at: https://au.forceswarrecords.com/search?docQuery=(filters: [Accessed 5 Sep. 2024].
· CWGC (2021). Private Jasper Clifford Kruss | War Casualty Details 515323 | CWGC. [online] CWGC.
Available at: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/515323/jasper-clifford-kruss/ [Accessed 5 Sep. 2024].
· Whereis.com. (2024). Map of Keswick, SA 5035 | Whereis®. [online]
Available at: https://www.whereis.com/sa/keswick-5035 [Accessed 5 Sep. 2024].
Reference of figures:
Figure 1: Vwma.org.au. (2024). Jasper Clifford KRUSS. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/231989 [Accessed 3 Sep. 2024].
Figure 2: corporateName =Department of Veterans’ Affairs; address=21 Genge St, C.C. (2020b). Battle of Pozières 23 July to 3 September 1916 | Anzac Portal. [online] anzacportal.dva.gov.au. Available at: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/where-australians-served/western-front/battle-of-pozieres.
Figure 3: Terrace, V. (2024). View digital copy. [online] Naa.gov.au. Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7375552 [Accessed 3 Sep. 2024]. - Page 5 of 40.
Figure 4: Terrace, V. (2024b). View digital copy. [online] Naa.gov.au. Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7375552 [Accessed 3 Sep. 2024]. – page 12 of 40.
Figure 5: Terrace, V. (2024a). View digital copy. [online] Naa.gov.au. Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7375552 [Accessed 3 Sep. 2024]. – page 40 of 40.
Figure 6: Awm.gov.au. (2024a). British War Medal 1914-20 : Private E D Kendall, 20 Battalion, AIF. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1358131.
Figure 7: Available at: https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awardsoperational-and-service-awards/80th-anniversary-armistice-remembrance-medal
Figure 8: Leeds City Council News. (2016). Object of the week- The Somme medal. [online] Available at: https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/object-of-the-week-the-somme-medal [Accessed 4 Sep. 2024].
Figure 9: Terrace, V. (2024c). View digital copy. [online] Naa.gov.au. Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7375552.
Figure 10: Terrace, V. (2024c). View digital copy. [online] Naa.gov.au. Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7375552.
Figure 11: Webmatters.net. (2024). Webmatters : Map of the general area around Pozières. [online] Available at: http://www.webmatters.net/index.php?id=111 [Accessed 4 Sep. 2024].
Figure 12: Bob Cromwell: Travel, Linux, Cybersecurity. (n.d.). A Few Days in Marseille. [online] Available at: https://cromwell-intl.com/travel/france/marseille/.
Figure 13: Whitman.edu. (2024). Alexandria.Theatre.Map and Directions. [online] Available at: https://www.whitman.edu/theatre/theatretour/alexandria/maps/alexandria.map.htm [Accessed 4 Sep. 2024].
Figure 14: Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Rouen | France. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/place/Rouen.
Appendices List:
Appendix 1: Kruss, M, 2024 [via text message]
Appendix 2: Kruss, M, 2024 [via text message]
Appendix 3: Kruss, M, 2024 [via text message]
Appendix 4: Kruss, M, 2024 [via text message]
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