Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry James Schultz was born in April 1896 in Carrieton, South Australia. According to his service records he was living at Payneham, Adelaide when he enlisted for war. He wasn’t married or in a relationship at the time. His mother was Olive Schultz and she was recorded as his next of kin. He was a printer before he went to war.

Henry enlisted for war on the 25th October, 1915, at Adelaide, South Australia. He left Adelaide on the 10th February, 1916, on the ship HMAT Warilda A69.

During his service he remained a private but his job role changed rapidly. He was first a gunner then a bombardier and was a part of the field artillery until he transferred as a driver. His final transfer was to the trench mortar battery.   

Henry arrived in Heliopolis, Egypt. He was a part of the 1st Light Horse Reserve Regiment. He was there for thirteen days and then transferred to Serapeum. He was transferred to the 4th Division Artillery. He went from Serapeum to Alexandria on the 6th of June, 1916, so he could be transferred to Marseilles, France to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). He was appointed driver in the field on May 5th, 1916. He reverted to gunner six days later. He then transferred to the trench mortar brigade. He became sick so he had to go to the field hospital and they eventually found out he had scabies. The scabies would have been caused because he was in the trenches and it would have been unhygienic.

He transferred to Hazebrouck and he was there for a long time working in the field. He was wounded in action from mustard gas shells which would affect you badly if not treated quickly. Mustard gas was created by the Germans.

He was transferred to England from Le Havre in France. He disembarked at South Hampton on May 21st, 1919.

After the war was over, he was reported twice for being absent without leave. The first time was on 9th June, 1919, and he later returned on the 11th June, 1919. The second time was from the 15th until the 22nd June, 1919. For being absent without leave his punishment was two days without pay.

On the 12th July, 1919, he left war to come home. He embarked from Exeter and travelled to Australia, arriving in Adelaide, SA on the 22nd August, 1919.

Following his return to Australia Henry married his childhood sweetheart Mauve and had four children, Enid, Melve, Glenda and Yvonne.

Henry became one of South Australia's premier pigeon fanciers and was heavily involved in the formation of the SA Pigeon Combine Assocation. He was also a keen fisherman especially on the River Murray.