Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

In 1922, June 19th Colin Herbert Schultz was born in Cowell, Franklin Harbour, South Australia the son of Augusta Isabel Schultz & John Friedrich Wilhelm Schultz. Colin was the youngest of 7 children and at the age of 4 his father passed away. Colin attended the Salt Creek School where he left at the age of 11 years (Grade 6). He then started working on his older sister's farm before helping to clear some scrub for a farmer at Minbrie, working with bullocks. Colin saved the farmer's life by lifting a heavy log that had fallen on him. Colin started shearing at the age of 15 years.

 Colin Herbert Schultz commenced full time duty with the CMF in December 1941. In February of the following year, he was charged with being AWL from 1130h 23/2/42 until 1800h 23/2/42, he was fined and forfeited 1 days’ pay. After being transferred to the Australian Army Service Corps he served with the 108th Reserve NT Company which provided essential logistics, including food, equipment and personnel transportation within Australia, particularly in the NT. During his time with the CMF Colin served as a driver. 

Later, during his service, Sapper Schultz served with the 7th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers, Northern Territory. He worked within the Victorian, Queensland and Northern Territory Lines of Communication Areas. At one time he was required to cross a river and although he couldn't swim, managed to 'dog paddle' across!

Colin suffered a bout of Dengue Fever in August 1942 and had ongoing problems with eczema and dermatitis as well as bouts of gastroenteritis throughout his service. The hot and tropical conditions of northern Australia would have added to his discomfort. After serving for two years, Colin Herbert Schultz was discharged on the 10th November 1943 on medical grounds.

Colin was awarded a 1939/45 Star CDA, a Defence Medal, War Medal and an Australian Service Medal and is recognised at Cowell, on the Franklin Harbour Roll of Honour.

Colin returned home to Cowell and married Heather Ramsey on the 8/5/1947. They lived at Darke Peak.  Colin built a caravan for Heather and their son, John, which they all lived in while he was shearing in the Tumby Bay-Edillilie area. Colin and Heather then bought some scrub land at Mitchelville, north of Cowell. They hired a Scottish man to help clear the land. Heather and Colin then had 2 daughters (Vicki & Jenny). With the assistance of Heather's father, they built sheds and a shack at Lucky Bay. John and Heather moved to Cowell around 1965. Heather's father passed away in 1963 leaving a farm southside of Cowell to Heather. The farms were eventually taken over by son, John.

Colin was an agent for an insurance company for a while. He also worked for Ampol, delivering fuel to farmers and fishing boats at the Cowell jetty.

Some of Colin’s hobbies included fishing, speed boat racing (at the Lucky Bay regattas) and he was also a timekeeper for the Cowell North Football Club for a number of years, while his son played. Colin did a few caravan trips and started playing bowls but arthritis made it too difficult. He had 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren when he passed away at the age of 77 years 30/07/1999.  Colin Schultz is buried in the Cowell cemetery.

Reference List

Sapper Information:

https://www.raefoundation.org.au/sappers/

National Archives:

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=6402963&isAv=N

Cowell Cemetery:

http://www.ozburials.com/CemsSA/cowell.htm

World War 2 Full Biographies - Folder.  Stocker, B. Cowell RSL

Notes from Vicki Ramsey (daughter)