SWENSEN, August
| Service Number: | 294 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | 1st Tunnelling Company (inc. 4th Tunnelling Company) |
| Born: | Cahlham, Sweden, 25 May 1874 |
| Home Town: | South Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Timber getter |
| Died: | South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 25 April 1943, aged 68 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 7 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 294, Mining Corps | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Feb 1916: | Involvement Sapper, 294, Mining Corps, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Feb 1916: | Involvement Sapper, 294, Mining Corps, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Feb 1916: | Embarked Sapper, 294, Mining Corps, HMAT Ulysses, Sydney | |
| 20 Feb 1916: | Embarked Sapper, 294, Mining Corps, HMAT Ulysses, Sydney | |
| 12 Apr 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sapper, 294, 1st Tunnelling Company (inc. 4th Tunnelling Company), 1st MD, Medically dicharged (age and debility) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Australian World War One veteran Sapper August Swenson, also recorded as Swensen/Svennson, (Service No. 294), is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.
We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 16 May 2026, along with a further 186 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
August Svensson was born in Sweden on 25 May 1874, to Matt and Johanna Swenson, with the family name also recorded as Svensson, Swenson, Swensen or Sweensen. As an 11-year-old, he immigrated with his family to Australia from Sweden, departing London, England, aboard the Chyebassa and arriving in Brisbane on 21 October 1885.
On 29 September 1915, August Swenson enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane, Queensland. He was single, aged 41 years and 4 months, and gave his occupation as timber-getter. He nominated his mother, Mrs Johanna Swensen of Mary Street, Dunellan Estate, South Brisbane, as his next of kin. He enlisted as a Sapper in Mining Corps No. 1, Company No. 1, later recorded as the 1st Tunnelling Company. On 20 February 1916, he embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, aboard HMAT Ulysses for overseas service.
He disembarked at Marseilles, France, in May 1916 and served with the tunnelling units on the Western Front. In January 1917, he was sent to hospital sick, with the record appearing to note adenitis. He was discharged back to duty on 29 January 1917 and rejoined his company shortly afterwards. On 5 June 1917, he was reported wounded in action, slightly, but remained on duty. Later in 1917, he was admitted sick again and medically reviewed, with the record noting that he was classified for return to England because of age and debility.
In January 1918, August Swenson returned to Australia on the troopship H.T. Port Darwin, and he was discharged on 12 April 1918.
Sapper August Swenson died on 25 April 1943 (Anzac Day), aged 68, and was buried in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was unmarried with no known children.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget
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