Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Albert Glatz
Service Number: 495
Place of Birth: Brisbane, Queensland
Date of Birth: June 1887
Place of Enlistment: Morphettville
Date of Enlistment: 24 August 1914
Age at Enlistment: 26 years 10 months
Next of Kin: Father – H. Glatz / Dimboola and his sister Mrs. Edith Hawke/
Kapunda
Occupation: Miner
Religion: Presbyterian
Rank: Corporal 10th Battalion
Albert was the son of Heinrich and Louise Glatz. The family lived at Kapunda
prior to moving to a vineyard property between Greenock and Marananga.
Albert was educated at Greenock Primary School. He later worked as a miner
at Broken Hill until enlisting.1
Albert Glatz is listed on the Freeling and Greenock War Memorials. However
the only Glatz that served during World War One, according to the National
Australian Archives and the Australian War Memorial, is a Frederick Paul Glatz.
However, Albert Glatz was also known as Alexander Glades, hence the
difficulty in researching his war record. “He was described as ‘a good all round
bushman’ but something of ‘a roamer’, having led an itinerant life for the
previous 12 years [to enlisting].”2
45
Glatz left Adelaide on 20 October 1914 on HMAT Ascanius. He was made
Lance Corporal on 1 January 1915 and Corporal on 8 February, whilst serving
in Egypt. At the age of 27, Albert was killed in action at Gallipoli on 25 April
and buried at Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province,
Turkey. His name {possibly in the name of Alexander Glades} is included in the
Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. 2
His use of the different names created considerable confusion for his family
and Army Base Records. Albert’s parents got Mr. Brock of The Dimboola
Barrier to write to Army Base Records to clarify that the A. Glades reported as
killed in action was actually their son Albert Glatz. Army Base Records added
to the confusion by referring to Albert as “Blades.” The situation was
eventually sorted out.
Their son’s 1914 / 15 Star was sent to Mr. H. Glatz at Dimboola on 14 October
1920 and he also received Albert’s Memorial Plaque on 27 January 1922. His
personal effects comprising: 1 gift box, letters, postcards and a watch wristlet
were received by Mrs. Glatz on 8 March 1916. She also received his Memorial
Scroll on 11 July 1921.
Private A. Glatz of Greenock was listed among local soldiers killed in action in
The Barossa News of 2 February and 9 March 1917 in a column headed “The
Great Sacrifice.”
The Kapunda Herald on Friday 19 November 1915 stated that Glatz’ death
was confirmed in a letter from Pte. J. McCarthy to Glatz’ brother- in - law Mr.
Albert Hawke. McCarthy went from Broken Hill with Glatz and was with him in
the great landing...the Dardenelles. “He made himself very popular here with
the boys. He was always bright and cheerful, and always gave a helping hand
wherever it was needed. He always had hopes of seeing Adelaide again. I think
it was the third day after the landing on Gallipoli that his end came. We were
all in a bad way by then, as we had no food or water and no sleep. Poor Alec,
was always singing out to his men cheering them up and keeping them awake;
he was a bright one. He was just as happy in those trenches as what he was
when he was with you in Adelaide....he was a splendid shot and many a Turk
went down before his rifle. A shrapnel shell caught him and he died very
quickly.”
1 Geoff Saegenschnitter Greenock Community Newsletter Winter 2014.
2
P.Donovan Storm Pg 8.