ZEVEN, Robert Martin
| Service Numbers: | 3739, S72774 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 September 1916, Adelaide, SA |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Epping, VIC, 26 May 1894 |
| Home Town: | Whyalla (Formerly Hummock's Hill), Whyalla, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Christian Brothers College, Adelaide |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Adelaide, SA, 26 September 1947, aged 53 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia General C, Path 9, Grave 698 |
| Memorials: | Iron Knob War Memorial, Richmond West Adelaide Football Club War Veterans Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Sep 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3739, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Adelaide, SA |
|---|
World War 2 Service
| 23 Apr 1942: | Involvement Lieutenant, S72774 | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Iron Knob, SA | |
| 23 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant, S72774, Iron Knob, SA | |
| 27 Nov 1945: | Discharged |
Robert Martin Zeven
Name: Robert Martin Zeven
Service Number: 3739
Place of Birth: Epping, Victoria
Date of Birth: 26 May 1894
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 17 October 1916
Age at Embarkation: 22 years 5 months
Marital status: Single
Next of Kin: Father – Patrick Martin Zeven, 3 Chain Road, Solomontown, Port Pirie
Occupation: Carpenter
Religion: Roman Catholic
Rank: Private
West Adelaide Football Club involvement: Robert played 1 game for WAFC on 18 July 1914. W.T. Kelly on page 45 of History of West Adelaide Football Club, states Robert showed great promise He also played for North Adelaide.
Biographical details:
Robert was the son of Patrick Martin Zeven and Florence Wood. Robert did his basic training with F Coy 2nd Depot Battalion from 18 October to 3 November 1916 and C Coy at Mitcham from 20 February to 14 April 1917. Robert requested a transfer to Field Artillery and trained with 5A Reinforcements at Maribyrnong, Victoria in May and June. He served as a Private Field Artillery 10/ 48th Battalion from 29 June. Robert’s unit embarked HMAT A16 Port Melbourne in Sydney on 16 July. Upon disembarking in England, he was stationed at Codford Camp with the 12th Training Battalion and was sent to France to reinforce the 40th Battalion on 18 December. He was wounded at Dernancourt early in April 1918, being shot in the left hand and was sent to Fort Pitt Military Hospital in Chatham, England, on 7 April. Robert’s father was advised of the incident by Army Base Records on 17 April. He was admitted to Group Hospital No.3 at Hurdcott, England with influenza on 26 June. Robert left Devonport on 21 March 1919 on board the Hildonian Castle and disembarked in Australia on 7 May. He was discharged on 30 May 1919.
Robert also served during World War Two, enlisting at Iron Knob. He was a Platoon Commander and Lieutenant with the Volunteer Defence Corps from 18 May 1942 to 27 November 1945. He and his wife Jean had married in 1922. They lived at 21 Broadbent Terrace, Whyalla. Robert played 25 games for North Adelaide Football Club in 1922-23. He died on 26 September 1947.
In the Whyalla News report of the death of Mr. Bert Zeven, it was said “he was regarded as one of the best footballers Whyalla has produced. Strongly built, very fast and with a safe pair of hands he was a force to be reckoned with on any football ground. It is on record that in one match he kicked 11 goals in seven minutes. He was keen on cricket and was captain of the team which won the carnival and brought the Hartwig shield to Whyalla.”
Source: NAA; B2455; Zeven R M; Barcode 3457451 [WW1]
NAA; B884; Zeven R M; Barcode 6345542 [WW2].
Information courtesy of Tony Doran, Springvale, Victoria.
Submitted 22 October 2023 by christopher collins
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Patirck Martin and Florence ZEVEN, 3 Chain Road, Solomontown, SA
Husband of Jean Torr ZEVEN, 21 Broadbent Terrace, Whyalla, SA
The death of Mr. Robert Martin (Bert) Zeven in Adelaide early on Friday morning came as a shock to his many friends in Whyalla. Only those who were very closely associated with him knew that he was in poor health as he was not the type to talk about himself or to look for pity. He was a man who when in his prime was strong in body and in mind and Whyalla has lost a good townsman. He was 53 years of age.
Mr. Zeven can be included in the pioneers of the district as he arrived as far back as 1913 to help build cottages at Iron Knob. He was a carpenter. In 1916 he enlisted and he was posted to the 43rd. Batt. A.I.F. The war over he came back to Whyalla and was the first secretary of the local branch of R.S.L. The B.H.P. works closed down in February 1922. Mr. Zeven left and returned in May 1933 and remained in the employment of the company (until October 1944 when he was appointed to the position of National Service officer, a position which heheld until the office was closed a few weeks ago. He was also returning officer at Parliamentary elections.
Mr. Zeven was regarded as one of the best footballers Whyalla has produced. Strongly built, very fast and with a safe pair of hands he was a force to be reckoned with on any football ground. It is on record that in one match he kicked 11 goals in seven minutes. He was keen on cricket and was captain of the team which' won the country carnival and brought the Hartwig shield to Whyalla. Mr. Zeven was educated at Christian Brothers College. During the war years he was prominent in the V.D.C. and for many years he was secretary of Whyalla branch of the Carpenters and Joiners Society.
He has left a widow, and a son and daughter.
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