Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

SCHNEIDER Michael MB BS DO DLO

1898- 1970

Michael Schneider was born on 18th September 1898, at Stockwell, in the Barossa Valley, SA. He was the son of Ernst Gottlieb Schneider and Augusta Betta, nee Hampel. He was educated at Gawler District High School and attended the SA School of Arts and Crafts before studying medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1925. He later gained an MSc (Opthal). He married Margaret Irene Parker from Wales on 17th June 1933, at St Matthew’s Church, Hamilton SA. She was the elder daughter of Mr and Mrs John Garret Parker of Gellygaer, Wales. Schneider and his wife had four children Anne, Wendy, Barbara and Michael. Following his marriage, he purchased, in 1934, Clifton Hall, a gothic-style house on a large estate, in Burnside, SA, where he lived all his life. Schneider was committed to preserving and protecting the native vegetation and fauna of the Adelaide Hills and was a member of the SA Forest League.  This society included Sir Douglas Mawson, Sir Henry Newland and Professor JB Cleland. The Cleland Reserve, in the Adelaide Hills, is named after him. Schneider kept many native animals on his property in a large enclosure. He began opening his property to the public in September 1940 which continued for many years, and his home became a place for many social functions. Clifton Hall later became the subject of much paranormal speculation and myth about ghosts inhabiting the property and was referred to as ‘Schneider’s Alley’.

Schneider enlisted, in the 2/AIF, on 17th September 1942, at Northfield, SA. He had previously served with the CMF in 101 AGH, NT. He named his wife Margaret, who was living at Clifton Hall, as his next of kin.  He was promoted to major on the 4th November 1942. Schneider was admitted to 101 AGH with pharyngitis in May 1943, and remained working with 101 AGH, in NT, until 27th August 1944. He was recorded as embarking for Port Moresby, PNG, on the Charon, but appears to have remained in Australia and was medically reclassified, then detached to 109 AGH. He was then immediately posted to 107 AGH, NT, as an ophthalmologist on 21st November 1944. Schneider was returned to SA in July 1945 and discharged on the 9th July 1945.

Schneider continued with his career as an ophthalmologist, after the war, as well as becoming an ear nose and throat surgeon. He remained living at Clifton Hall for the rest of his life.  Michael Schneider died on 9th October 1970.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD