Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Lindsay was the second son born to August Edmund, a mason, and Edith Lucy Graetz in Murray Bridge on the 17th February 1916. He was one of seven children, including Sylvia Lucy Nita, Nita Lorna Mona, Vernon Edmund Clarence, Jack Victor, Clem Leonard and Ellis Maxwell. Unfortunately, Ellis lived for just six months and died on the 13th February 1925, just prior to Lindsay’s ninth’s birthday.
Lindsay was just thirteen when an horrific accident occurred in September 1929. His older brother, fifteen-year-old Vernon Clarence was killed in a freak accident in the heart of the town. He was employed by the Halliday family as a milk cart driver and was in front of his home attempting to mount a horse. However, it reared and fell back on Vernon and was unable to rise for some time. His sister, Sylvia had witnessed the accident and ran for assistance, but despite the locals’ and doctor’s rapid attendance, Victor died due to a cerebral haemorrhage caused by the fall from the horse. The impact on the children was exacerbated as their parents had gone rabbiting at White Horse Plains and could not immediately be contacted. A compassionate neighbour rode out to find and bring them back into town. An inquest was deemed unnecessary, with Vernon then being buried in the local Murray Bridge Cemetery with baby Ellis.
The children all attended the local Murray Bridge School, where Arbour Day and Eight Hour Day were both causes for celebrations. Frequently, sporting pursuits followed in the afternoon when Nita and Sylvia particularly, proved to be competitive athletes in both running races and high jumping. They also mixed this with being quite talented singers.
The Murray Bridge Hunt Club ran regular races. 17-year-old Lindsay and his brother, Jack were responsible for erecting a variety of fences, including a broad plank double, pyramid of logs and the highlight of a stout wall, 3 ft 9 in. high and nearly as broad, which all riders crossed brilliantly, for the Club in June ’23. Fifteen hounds were involved, with many spectators collecting at various vantage points to watch and applaud the dogs, horses and their riders.
Locally, Dorothy James, an only child, was a talented musician who attended the St Joseph’s Convent School at Murray Bridge where she was frequently mentioned for her high academic grades. She then attended the Murray Bridge High School where she again scored well in her Intermediate Class. Lindsay also attended the same High School, after which he worked as a labourer. Lindsay was 22 when the young couple announced their engagement on the 16th June ’38. They married the following month on the 22nd July in an evening service in the Murray Bridge Presbyterian Church. Several newspapers reported the event, describing Dorothy’s golden gown and her autumn-coloured flowers. The young couple then settled to live in Murray Bridge where they looked forward to the arrival of their first child, named Vernon Kevin on the 24th January the following year. Their son was named Vernon, in honour of Lindsay’s brother, who had died in such tragic circumstances. Cruelly, Dorothy died of complications on the 1st February, leaving a heartbroken husband and new-born son. ‘GRAETZ.—On the 1st of February, at the Adelaide Hospital, Dorothy Jean, dearly beloved wife of Lyndsay Graetz and loving daughter of Mr. and Mrs. (Dick) James, of Murray Bridge. Aged 25 years. Ever remembered.’ She was buried in the Murray Bridge Cemetery.
With the outbreak of WWII, a huge recruitment drive was conducted and focussed on many country areas in an appeal to young, fit and active men to enlist. Still reeling from the death of his new wife, 24-year-old, Lindsay enlisted at Murray Bridge on the 20th July 1940 as SX9308 in the 2/48th Battalion. He gave young Vernon Kevin as his ‘eldest son’ and next of kin. At that stage Vernon was in the care of Lindsay’s parents, August and Edith. (Two of Lindsay’s brothers also enlisted with the Militia. 21-year-old Jack Victor the following month, in August as S17284 and Clem S17283 at the same time. Then on the 5th September ’42 Clem became SX26519 with the Number 3 General Transport Company.)
Lindsay’s first days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. His battalion then moved to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for further preliminary training. There he contracted pharyngitis and continued to experience throat problems during his two years of service.
Pre-embarkation leave followed. This was the last time Lindsay would see his family and particularly his young son, one year old Vernon. All too soon, Lindsay and his fellow members of the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940 where the battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. During those early days in the Middle East, the men settled into camps, but besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the locals. The new soldiers were soon involved in intense conflicts where the reputation of the 2/48th Battalion for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned.
By August ‘41, Lindsay had contracted tonsillitis, a condition that re-appeared at a similar time the following year, causing him to be briefly hospitalised on both occasions. He was transferred from the 2/48th to the Headquarters 26th Brigade.
Aged 26, Lindsay was first reported as being accidentally killed in action on the 17th November ’42 in a landmine explosion. Details of his death were scarce, with first information suggesting that his death was accidental, but this was later documented as him being killed in action.
The Chronicle gave details early in December of a number of Lindsay’s fellow soldiers from the 2/48th being killed or injured. They were ‘Killed In Action.— SX8385 Pte. George S. R. Fowler, Prospect; SX8344 Cpl. Ronald M. Ide, Naracoorte; SX7695 Pte. Ernest S. J. Schubert, Mt. Gambier; SX8204 Pte. Edwin W. Vivian, Mannum; SX6567 Pte W. Langstreth, Torrensville. Killed Accidentally. SX9308 Pte. Lyndsay H C. Graetz, Murray Bridge. Wounded In Action — SX13584 Pte. William H. J. Keon, New Queenstown; SX7615 A/Cpl. Albert T. King, Minlaton; SX7056 L/Sgt. Francis. B. Pearson. Angle Vale. Missing, Believed Killed. — SX11785 Pte John O. Evans. Arno Bay.
An update was then published in January officially listing Lindsay as being Killed in Action.
Back home, the Advertiser shared more details. ‘Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Graetz, of McHenry street, Murray Bridge, have been notified that their second son, Pte. L. H. C. (Lindsay) Graetz, 26, was accidentally killed in Egypt on November 17. Pte. Graetz was educated at Murray Bridge. He was in Tobruk for eight months and also saw service in Palestine, Syria, and Egypt. His wife died in 1938 and he has left a small son. His two brothers are in the CMF.’
Initially Lindsay was buried in the Western Desert. Then in June ‘43 he was reburied in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Plot 22, Row E Grave 17. He now rests with other young men from the 2/3rd, 2/8th, 2/23rd 2/24th, 2/28th and 2/43rd battalions. His family chose the inscription ‘He Sacrificed Himself For All That Was Dear To Him In Life’.
Lindsay’s family and friends continued to remember him in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Wednesday 17 November 1943, GRAETZ.—In loving memory of Lyndsay who was killed November 17.—Ever remembered by his friends Joyce, Mr. and Mrs. Warman and family. GRAETZ.— In loving memory of Lyndsay, killed at El Alamein. November 17 1942. Resting In a soldier's grave, his name honored with the brave.—Missed by mother, father, brothers, and sisters, and son Vernon, Murray Bridge. GRAETZ.—A tribute to the memory of our brother Lindsay killed In action Nov. 17, 1942. To have you with us in the same old way, would be our wish today.—Remembered by Jack and Melva. GRAETZ.—In fond memory of my brother Lyndsay, killed In action Egypt Nov. 17 1942. Treasured memories will linger for ever.—Ever remembered, Clem and Ada. GRAETZ.—In loving memory of our brother Lindsay who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, Nov. 17 1942., His duty nobly done.—Fondly remembered. Nita and Clem.
Advertiser Friday 17 November 1944, GRAETZ.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lyndsay, killed in action Nov. 17. 1942, at E1 Alamein. Though your smile has gone for ever, and your hands we cannot touch, we will never forget the memories of the one we loved so much. Sadly missed by his mother and father, brothers and sisters, and son Vernon. GRAETZ.—A tribute to the memory of our brother Lyndsay, who paid the supreme sacrifice El Alamein Nov. 17. 1942. He died that we might live. —Ever remembered by Nita and Clem. GRAETZ.—In loving memory Dvr. Lyndsay Graetz, killed in action Nov. 17, 1942.—inserted by Mary and Harry Warman and family.
Advertiser Saturday 16 November 1946, GRAETZ.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lyndsay, who was killed in action at El Alamein, Nov. 17, 1942. What would we give his hand to clasp, his loving face to see; to be together once again, just as we used to be. —Always remembered by his mother, father, brothers, sisters and son Vernon. GRAETZ.—A tribute to the memory of our brother Lyndsay, who was killed at El Alamein, Nov. 17, 1942. We will remember.—Inserted by Nita and Clem.
Advertiser Tuesday 18 November 1947. GRAETZ. —Loving memories of Lyndsay killed Alamein, November 17. 1942. Not dead, just sleeping, resting where no shadows fall, in peace and quiet he awaits us all. Remembered always by his mother father and family, and son.
Advertiser Wednesday 17 November 1948, GRAETZ. —A tribute to the memory of Lyndsay, killed at El Alamein, November 17, 1942. In silence we remember. Clem and Nita. GRAETZ. — In fond and loving memory of dear Lyndsay, killed El Alamein, 1942. —Loved by all father, mother, Vernon.
Advertiser Wednesday 23 November 1949, GRAETZ.—In loving memory of our dear son Lyndsay. killed El Alamein November 17. 1942. Sweetest memories, fond and true, from those that thought the world of you.—Ever remembered by father, mother and son Vernon, brothers and sisters.
Advertiser Friday 17 November 1950, GRAETZ.— Cherished memories of Lyndsay. killed El Alamein November 17. 1342. Memories are our dearest keepsake. — Mother and father and son Vernon.
Advertiser Saturday 17 November 1951, GRAETZ. — Treasured memories of Lyndsay, killed in action November 17. 1942. El Alamein. Lest we forget. — Clem and Nita.

Whilst Vernon may not have had personal memories of Lindsay, the family provided him with their own recollections. As the son of a deceased soldier, Legacy also played an important role in young Vernon’s life. He was able to attend several holiday camps, including at Largs in ’53 where he was involved in a football match and was photographed with other young Legatees from Snowtown, Kadina and Broken Hill.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.