Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Heinrich Edgar Kruger
Service Number: 3187
Place of Birth: Keyneton
Date of Birth: 17 September 1891
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 18 October 1915
Age at Enlistment: 24 years 1 month
Next of Kin: Wife – Myrtle Louisa Kruger
Occupation: Storekeeper’s assistant
Religion: Lutheran
Rank: Corporal
Heinrich left Australia on board Malakuta on 24 June 1916. With the
32nd Battalion he was sent to France on Golden Eagle on 11
November, where he fought at the Battle of the Somme, at Pozieres
Ridge. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 22 January 1917.
Heinrich was wounded in action on 4 May 1918, being gassed and
after treatment he was able to rejoin his unit and resume duty on
15 June. The Register of Tuesday, 28 May stated Mrs. Kruger of
Unley had been notified her husband had been gassed in France.
Heinrich was invalided to England until he returned to Australia per
Port Melbourne, arriving on 18 August 1919 and was discharged on
2 October.
Heinrich Edgar Kruger also served in World War Two, enlisting at
Paddington, NSW on 4 March 1942, listing his date of birth as 17
September 1896. This differs from the South Australian Births Index
of Registrations, which lists him as born in Keyneton on 17
September 1891. It was very common for those re- enlisting to
adjust personal details, particularly that of their age in order to
enhance being accepted into the 2nd AIF. Heinrich’s last rank was
that of Warrant Officer Class 2.
The History of Ernst August Fiebiger and Descendants in Australia
1847 – 2000, states “Heinrich Edgar Kruger, known as Edgar and
Ed... the fourth child of Anna Elisabeth and Adolph Heinrich Kruger.
He was baptised at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Keyneton, on 4
October 1891 by Pastor G.J. Rechner.... When Edgar was two and a
half years old his mother passed away. And he and his two sisters,
Elisabeth and Laura, went to live with his grandparents, Heinrich
and Dorothea Fiebiger and Aunt Ernstine. He attended North Rhine
Lutheran School, and was confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church,
Keyneton. Edgar would often help his grandfather with his
bookwork, and from this he gained an interest in accountancy.
When he was 14 years old, his Aunt Ernstine married, and Edgar
went to live with her and her husband, Herman Merten, at Truro.
He found employment as a storekeeper’s assistant. Edgar was also
part of the Truro Defence Rifle Club for three years.
On 18 October 1915 Edgar enlisted with the Australian Imperial
Force to serve in World War One. He was assigned as a private to
the 7th Reinforcements of the 32nd Battalion...On 22 April 1916,
Edgar married Myrtle Louisa Werrey at St. Saviour Church in Glen
Osmond (see photo of their wedding day below). They were not
married long when, after training at Morphettville, Edgar left
Australia on board the HMAT Malakuta on 27 June 1916, arriving in
England on 22 August that year. He served in France, becoming a
corporal and receiving several other temporary commissions. In
December 1917 Edgar was sent to undertake a course in the
German language. In May 1918 he was hospitalised for injuries and
burns he received in a mustard gas attack.
After the war ended, Edgar remained in France and returned to
England in May 1919. Edgar left England in July 1919 aboard Port
Melbourne.... For his service he received the 1914/15 Star, the
British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Edgar returned to his wife and saw his son Edgar Neville, aged two
and a half years, for the first time, as he was born while Edgar was
overseas. Edgar and Myrtle lived in Unley and Edgar found work as a
grocer’s assistant. The couple later moved to Westbourne Park. In
1936, Edgar, Myrtle and their son Dudley moved to Canberra to join
their other son, Neville, who already lived there.... After the
outbreak of World War Two, Edgar enlisted in the Army on 4 March
1942 and served as a Warrant Officer Class 2 with the 1st Australian
Army Catering Coy Training Company. He remained in service until
after the war, being discharged on 28 April 1948.
After the war, Edgar worked as a bookkeeper for the Returned and
Services League. He was awarded Life Membership of the ACT RSL
branch, and also received the honour of OAM for his work with the
RSL, presented by Sir Zelman Cowan on 10 March 1980. (see photo
below)
Edgar enjoyed bowls and watching football, and was a keen
gardener. Myrtle also enjoyed bowls, and was a Life Member of the
Federal District Women’s Bowling Association. She was also a Life
Governor of Sydney Hospital, Life Member of the National Council
of Women – ACT branch, and Life Member of the Pan – Pacific
Women’s Association - ACT branch.
Edgar passed away on 26 August 1980, aged 88, and is buried in the
Returned Soldiers section of the Gungahlin Cemetery in Canberra.
Myrtle passed away on 8 July 1981, aged 88, and is buried next to
her parents in the Mitcham Anglican Cemetery in Adelaide.”
Source:NAA: B2455, KrugerHE, Barcode 7374333.