Sydney KRANTZ

KRANTZ, Sydney

Service Number: SX13978
Enlisted: 7 August 1941
Last Rank: Major
Last Unit: Not yet discovered
Born: Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 24 September 1903
Home Town: Adelaide, South Australia
Schooling: Prince Alfred College and University of Adelaide
Occupation: Medical Practitioner
Died: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 11 August 1973, aged 69 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials: Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Kelso Memorial Wall
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World War 2 Service

7 Aug 1941: Involvement Major, SX13978
7 Aug 1941: Enlisted Wayville, SA
7 Aug 1941: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, SX13978
10 Jan 1946: Discharged

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Biography contributed by Annette Summers

KRANTZ Sydney MB BS FRCS FRACS

1903-1973

Sydney Krantz was born in Broken Hill, New South Wales on 24th September 1903. His father was Israel Krantz and his mother Sophia, nee Werschowsky. The Krantz family were migrants from Russia. They ran a successful grocery business in Broken Hill. However, on three occasions, their premises were burnt. Krantz was educated at Prince Alfred College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1927. His brother Roy, who was born in 1905, was also a medical practitioner in Victoria. Krantz undertook post-graduate studies in England and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1931.  Krantz returned to Australia and gained his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1938. He was appointed a clinical assistant surgeon at the Adelaide Hospital in 1935.

Krantz enlisted in the AAMC on the 31st July 1941 and was commissioned as a captain. He volunteered for the 2/AIF on 7th August 1941. He was promoted to major and posted to the 2/13th AGH which was in Singapore with the 8th Division. Krantz was part of a mobile surgical team which included his Adelaide colleague, Alan Hobbs; Hobbs described him as a “brilliant surgeon”. The mobile team was attached to the 2/4th CCS. This unit became engaged with the Japanese at Kluang, Malaya. The British Army was forced back to Singapore Island in February 1942.  After the surrender of the forces in Singapore to the Japanese Krantz, with his colleagues became prisoners of war in Changi gaol. After three months Krantz, with his unit, was assigned to “A Force”, with Lieutenant Colonel Coates as the senior medical officer. They were moved by ship to Burma and later to Moulmein where they were forced by the Japanese to build the Burma-Siam railway. While he and the other surgeons had few medical supplies or surgical instruments, they continued to operate taking advantage of all sorts of improvisations. The use of Novocaine, obtained from dentists, for spinal anaesthesia was helpful. The surgery included amputations for gangrene or leg ulcers and many other complicated procedures.  Krantz, with his medical colleagues, performed more than 1300 significant operations during their incarceration. Eighteen months before their release the Medical Officers were moved to Na-Kon-Paton. The Japanese realised the war was ending and released supplies provided by the Red Cross enabling the better treatment of many more prisoners.  After the end of the war, Lady Mountbatten arrived with two other women in a Jeep; none of the prisoners had previously seen a Jeep which for other soldiers, was so prevalent in the war. Following his release, Krantz was initially admitted to 2/14 AGH before being evacuated back to Australia. Krantz returned to SA on 14th November 1945. He was admitted to 105 AMH with hypertension. He was discharged from the army on 10th January 1946 and transferred to the Reserve of Officers. Australian medical officers who were Japanese prisoners of war exhibited outstanding character and resourcefulness and are still held in the highest of esteem; Krantz was amongst these heroes.

After the war, Krantz was appointed honorary assistant surgeon at the RAH and, in 1953, honorary surgeon. He was also a specialist surgeon at the Repatriation General Hospital. He worked in private practice, primarily, at the Wakefield Memorial Hospital. Krantz is remembered for technical skill, his support for colleagues, and his gruff ways which alienated some colleagues but many later were numbered amongst his friends. Rather late in life, and as a surprise to his colleagues, he married Kathleen, and they had a son, Simon. Sydney Krantz died on 11th August 1973, survived by his wife and son.  Kathleen later remarried to Mr Lancaster.

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

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