Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Contributed by Mt Compass Area School

Edwin William Schmidt was born on the 3rd of May in 1922 (VWMA, 2023). Edwin’s Father and Mother moved from Germany to Australia, specifically Hahndorf as immigrants in 1841 (Allen, 2023). However, Edwin was born and raised in Nairne S.A by his two happily married parents, called Esther and Wigo (Allen, 2023).

Everyone loved him dearly and he was a valued member of the family. Edwin was the first child out of six with three sisters and two brothers. His siblings were Ray, Harold, Ruth, Eileen, and Jennifer (Allen, 2023). Their family owned property and they had a hobby farm which consisted of cows, chickens, and draft horses. They sold the chickens eggs, and the cow’s milk to people in their neighborhood (Allen, 2023). The horses were broken in by everyone in the family and sold for extra money. Edwin was heavily involved in looking after the animals and it was hard work for him. He also played footy in his spare time along with his brothers. This was something he enjoyed a lot, especially because it was a family activity. When he became a teenager, he applied for a job at Chapmans Factory Small goods (Allen, 2023) and continued to work there until he left for war. He had a good life before war, but it was tough work growing up on the family farm.

His Mother strongly disagreed with the thought of him going to war and constantly tried to persuade him to not go. She felt as though he was too young, and she loved him way too much to let him go (Allen, 2023). On the other hand, his dad believed he should go. After a lot of pressure from the community when Edwin made the decision to sacrifice his life at war, his dad was proud of him, and deep down his mother was too (Allen, 2023). Edwin wanted to be a role model for his sisters and make them proud, and serve for his country because it felt right, not because anyone was forcing him too. His two younger brothers, Ray, and Harold made the decision to go to war just like their older brother (VWMA, Ray Rex Schmidt, 2023). Edwin had no idea what he was about to experience, and soon found out on his first day at War. As soon as Edwin left for war his mother took on his role in the family which was working with the horses and looking after the animals (Allen, 2023). His sisters were not involved in the war, so they also had to take on their brother’s important roles within the family. Edwin’s father worked at Strathalbyn in a Sawmill factory (Allen, 2023) while the girls stayed home. Life without the boys was hard on the family, and they missed them dearly. I can imagine, they would have thought about them every day, and prayed that they could return home safe.

In order for Edwin to join the army he required permission from his father (Drew, 2023) which he easily obtained. At just 19 years of age in 1941, Edwin commenced his training in Kapooka NSW. The regiment was transferred to Darwin for a short term, then onto Townsville in Queensland to learn jungle warfare. The calling was that the regiment joined others in Brisbane and were sent to Port Moresby to partake within the Western New Guinea campaign WWII 1942. The Kokoda track was extremely hard, with tropical conditions, hot damp and cold nights that led to exhaustion (DVA, 2023). Edwin succumbed to hepatitis, conjunctivitis, a urinary tract infection, and pneumonia to then being hospitalised (Allen, 2023). Whilst recovering he was placed in stores on light duties.

After completing five years service, two of which were overseas, Edwin obtained his points (Allen, 2023). Two points earned for every year’s service, was repatriated back to Australia (Allen, 2023), honourably discharged back to home along with his two brothers.                                                                                     

Once Edwin returned, he made the decision to never fight in a war again as this was the most mentally and physically challenging experience in his life (Allen, 2023). Everything was left behind in those battlefields, to serve for our country. Being only 19 when he was first sent to war, and without the chance to fulfill his life and experience everything he wanted to beforehand. His parents were extremely relieved once he came home with his two brothers (Allen, 2023). When he returned home, he realised the opportunity to live his life again was back. I believe there would’ve been an extreme amount of sorrow felt for the soldiers that didn’t have that chance.

Edwin was single before the war, so there wasn’t a special someone waiting for him, but once he returned home he met a lady called Mavis and they fell in love with one another and began their life shortly after this (Allen, 2023). They married one another and had seven children, Leslie, Dianne, Geoffrey, Trevor, Colin, Suzanne, and Robert (Allen, 2023). Edwin lived a successful life and achieved everything he wanted including having a family of his own. He returned back to his job at the small goods factory, continuing to work his way up, and eventually became Manager (Wood, 2023). He also became the president of the RSL club, and shared his experiences with the people involved in the war (Wood, 2023). He was 80 years old (VWMA, Edwin William Schmidt, 2023) when he passed away from old age. His story continues to live on, and his children still admire him and everything he sacrificed to this day.

Bibliography

Allen, D. (2023, April 16). Edwin William Schmidt. (E. McCreight, Interviewer)

Drew, E. (2023, April 19). Parents providing consent for their son to enlist in World War I – Edward Drew.

Retrieved from National Archives of Australia: https://www.naa.gov.au/students-and- teachers/learning-resources/learning-resource-themes/war/world-war-i/parents-providing- consent-their-son-enlist-world-war-i-edward-drew

DVA. (2023, April 30). Kokoda Track trekking in Papua New Guinea. Retrieved from Australian Government of Veterans affairs: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/commemoration/battlefields- and-walks/kokoda-track

Straczek, J. (2023, May 1). New Guinea WW2 - A Maritime Campaign. Retrieved from NAVY serving Australia with pride: https://www.navy.gov.au/history/feature-histories/new-guinea-ww2- maritime-campaign

VWMA. (2023, April 7). Edwin William Schmidt. Retrieved from Virtual War Memorial Australia: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/579243

VWMA. (2023, 21 April). Edwin William Schmidt. Retrieved from Virtual War Memorial Australia: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/579243

VWMA. (2023, May 1). Ray Rex Schmidt. Retrieved from Virtual War memorial Australia: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/594434

Williams, P. (2023, May 1). Kokoda trail. Retrieved from National museum australia: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/kokoda- trail#:~:text=More%20than%20600%20Australian%20soldiers,enormous%20suffering%20on%20 both%20sides.

Williams, P. (2023, April 28). Kokoda trail. Retrieved from National Museum Australia: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/kokoda-trail

Wood, B. (2023, April 16). Edwin William Schmidt. (E. McCreight, Interviewer)