Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Heinrich, one of eight children, was born in Loxton on the 23rd March 1913 to Johann Rudolph and Franziska Gertrude Krause. His siblings included Alma Ruth, Gloria Betty, Melva Louise, Selma Hilda, Viola, Edna and Walter Rudolph. The family lived in Taplan, part of Loxton in the Murray Mallee, an area known for its farming. Initially the children attended the local Loxton School where Heinrich, (known as Ewald or Harry) proved to be a competent athlete during the Empire Day Celebration Sports Day events.
Heinrich had just turned seven when his little four-year-old sister, Melva died suddenly at Taplan in April ‘20. She had spent the day playing with her siblings but by evening had complained of some pain. Despite Franziska watching over her throughout the night, she died early the next morning with a diagnosis of bronchial pneumonia later given as the cause of her death. This may have been the catalyst for Johann to sell his general store three months later, although he was already experiencing ill health. Walter, Heinrich’s young brother, was fortunate to escape serious injury in September that year when he fell into a heap of unslaked lime, filling his eyes with dust. Quick thinking by Johann in taking his little son to the Renmark doctor for treatment was crucial in saving Walter’s sight.
Sadly for the family, death struck again two years later when eight-month-old Edna died in April ’22 during an epidemic of sickness at Taplan. For the local families, this meant many hurried trips into Loxton and to the doctors. Despite being hospitalised, Edna late died.
Post school Heinrich became a Private, serving with the Australian Army Service Corps. He was also one of many local young men who enjoyed attending the Loxton Bachelors’ Club dinners and being part of the Lutheran Concordia Young People's Society. His family hosted an annual break-up at their home where singing, games, competitions, and the playing of the pianola were featured as well as a dainty supper.
Heinrich and Jack Ralla developed a close friendship with both being part of the grocery business, Heinrich as a grocery driver and Jack as a grocer. With the outbreak of war, the two decided to enlist together. Aged 28 Harry and, 23-year-old Jack enlisted on the 28th May ’41. They were given consecutive numbers, Heinrich as SX13011 and Jack as SX13021 and both were eventually allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Initially Heinrich gave his father as his next of kin but before heading overseas, he married Eveline Edna Weckert of nearby Pata in what was described as a ‘pretty Loxton War Wedding’. Heinrich chose Jack to be his best man for the ceremony at the Loxton Lutheran Church at the start of June ’41. They enjoyed a reception at the Loxton Club Hotel before the two young men returned to army training.
Heinrich was involved in undertaking a chiropody course, which he concluded in August that year, before heading overseas in September for Dimra. He was quickly promoted to Acting Corporal and was part of the Australia Infantry Trig Battalion Special group. A further promotion to Corporal followed at the end of ’42.
In March ’43, Corporal Harry returned to Loxton where he was one of a group of soldiers on leave with Private Len Dohnt SX7404 of his 2/48th Battalion, Lyall Proud NX37765, and Paul King SX12991 of the sister 2/43rd. These men were feted with a social at the Loxton Institute. At that time Harry and Eveline stayed with the Henschke family as they were to do again after Harry’s discharge several years later in ’48.
Training in Queensland followed with Heinrich was soon on his way to New Guinea, landing at Milne Bay in August ’43. Within a few weeks he had contracted scrub typhus and Post Typhus debility with the associated fever, chills and feelings of disorientation. He was hospitalised and eventually sent back to Australia to recuperate at Kapara Convalescent Home in Glenelg. It took until January ’44 before Heinrich was assessed as being able to carry out duties which required ‘only restricted medical fitness’. At the same time, his right knee was described as having a ‘derangement’ needing an operation, this condition exacerbated by him being affected by malaria. Heinrich was a very unwell man with his medical assessment vacillating between seriously ill, to dangerously ill, then back to seriously ill as he also contracted pneumonia.
By March ’44 Heinrich was considered well enough to be transferred to the Terowie Transport Centre and thence to special duties, where he spent the remainder of his service before finally being discharged in January ’46.
With the inevitable post-war housing boom, those who had served their country were exempt from paying the quite hefty Stamp Duty and were also eligible for the War Service Housing Commission on the presentation of their Discharge Certificate. Anxious to build on his block at Albert Park, Heinrich had a lengthy wait to create a paper trail as his discharge papers had been mislaid by his land agent. It was a frustrating time for him and Eveline in those post-war years.
Heinrich’s mother, Franziska who had moved to Rosewater Gardens, lived to see him return safely from war. Aged 62 she died in hospital on December 27th, 1951, and was buried in the Loxton Cemetery as later was 90 year old Johann in June ‘74.
Aged 82, Heinrich’s wife, Evelyn died on the 8th January 1993 in Tanunda. Four years later, 83-year-old Heinrich died on the 17th January ’97. was buried in the St John Lutheran Church Cemetery at Tanunda and is also remembered in the South Australian Garden of Remembrance at Pasadena.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.