Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest Kranz was born the 3rd of April 1891 in Magill, Australia. He was married to Rachel Jane Kranz the daughter of Mrs S. Eastwood who lived in Bayer St Norwood. Rachel and Ernest lived at Cave St Semaphore before he received a letter from Rachel on the 9th of June 1919 saying, “Dear Sir, I beg to advise you I have changed my place of living to the above address. Very respectfully, Mrs R J Kranz.”

Ernest Kranz enlisted to fight in the First World War in Adelaide on the 23rd of February 1918 when he was 26 years and 10 months old. He was 177.8 cm tall, his chest 88.5 centimetres wide and weighed 64 kg; he had a medium complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. Ernest Kranz’ religious denomination was Methodism.

The First World War was caused by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo and many other reasons also factored in. The main countries that were involved in the war were Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Germany and Austria-Hungary. Australia went to war one was that Australia was bound with Brittan so when they were preparing to declare war against Germany, Australia didn’t need to help but we did because after the Australia had become a British colony. After the war more than 60,000 out of 416,809 people who enlisted had died and 156,000 people had been wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.

Ernest Kranz, service number 56099, left Australia to join the South Australian reinforcements from May to October as a driver, which is the equivalent to a private. He embarked for the war in Melbourne on the 23rd July 1918 on a ship called HMAT Marathon A74, after arriving in London he disembarked from London once again on the HMAT Marathon A74 ship on the 27th of September. After this on the 28th of January 1919 Ernest proceeded overseas to France via South Hampton and joined the 6th Australian Motor Transport Company (AMT coy) unit on the 29th of January.

On the 9th of May Ernest was accidentally injured, which cause a sprained ankle, after the injury there were serious repercussions, bacteria spread through the blood stream which caused his right hand to be infected by septic arthritis. This caused his had to be inflamed and in constant pain there for he was admitted to Dartford on the   11th of May so that the infection did not spread. On the 17th of June Ernest disembarked and on the 30th of September he advised returning to Australia. On the 17th of November 1919 he was discharged and returned to Australia to his wife and children. On the 1st of October 1958 at the age of 67 Ernest Kranz passed away. 

Ernest was involved in the 6th Corps Troops and the Motor Transport units while he was on duty in World War 1. He earned two different medals; British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The 1914-15 Star also known as ‘pip’ was awarded to those who were involved in the war between the 5th of August 1914 and the 31st of December 1915, many people were awarded this medal, although if you were had been awarded the 1914 Star, the Africa General Service Medal or the Sudan 1910 Medal you were not eligible for the 1914-15 Star. The British War Medal also know as ‘squeak’ was awarded to those who either entered in part of war or entered service overseas between 5th of August and the 11th of November 1918. The Allied Victory Medal also known as ‘Wilfred’ was issued to the countries that were allied with similar designs to congratulate their victory.

ANZAC is an acronym that means Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, but to have ANZAC spirit is a combination of traits shown during a war battle such as spirited, bravery, mateship, courage, endurance, initiative and discipline. These are the men and women that are fighting for our country and their lives for days on end. It is believed by many that this thought of ANZAC spirit came about by the thought that all people in a society should have equal rights from birth and the mutual support of others. An example of ANZAC spirit in Ernest Kranz’ life was when he was injured he regained his strength and he went back to serving with the other soldiers. Another example of this in his life was when he enrolled for the war that took courage because there was a very high chance that he might not come back.