Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Julius Edward Seefeldt

Julius Edward Seefeldt was born on the 11th November 1906 in Bundaberg, the youngest child of nine children born to Julius Edward William Seefeldt and his wife Rebecca Barlow of 55 Victoria Street, Bundaberg East. Julius was born nine months after his eldest brother, Edward William died on 19th February 1906 aged 17 years from a naval accident while he was attending a Naval Brigade exercise in Bundaberg.

Julius was enrolled at Bundaberg South State School in 1912 aged 5 years. He later attended Bundaberg East State School at aged 9 years in 1916.

During the First World War, young Julius saw his two older brothers enlist in the Australian Imperial Forces. John Henry enlisted on 17th July 1915 in Brisbane, aged 21 years. He passed his preliminary medical examination but after the subsequent medical examinations, John was discharged as medically unfit for service on 28th September 1915.

Herbert Hector Seefeldt enlisted on the 11th April 1916 in Bundaberg aged 20 years. After passing all his medicals, Herb was sent to training camp in Enoggera, Brisbane and later embarked for England on 27th October. Herbert arrived in Plymouth to experience the cold winter in training on Salisbury Plain. He caught the flu which developed into pneumonia and he died on 8th February 1917 aged 21 years. Such a sad time for young Julius who was just 10 years old and his family.

On leaving school, Julius became a labourer in Bundaberg.

When World War II started, Julius was 33 years of age but was still a single man living at home. He decided to enlist in the Austrlalian Army like his brothers before him. He travelled to Maryborough to enlist on 20th March 1941. He was now 34 years and 4 months.

The Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser had the following report printed on Friday 21st March 1941, the day after Julius enlisted.

57 VOLUNTEERS FAREWELLED

DISTRICT MEN GOING TO JOIN A.I.F.

The largest draft of A.I.F. volunteers to be farewelled in Maryborough was entertained by the Federal Band ladies' committee in the Town Hall supper room last night, when 57 sat down to tea.

The Mayor (Alderman R. D. McDowell), who presided, said that Australia was proud of the boys who were going to fight the same evil as the old Diggers did, the only exception being that this time it was under different leadership. Australians had already proved themselves, and would fight with more confidence when they knew that men of the same stock were coming to their assistance to help them finish the job.

Mr. T. Garde, president of the Maryborough sub-branch of the R.S.S.A.L.A., said he was certain that the boys going that night, would do a good job. The boys over the other side were carrying on the traditions of the old A.I.F., who were mighty proud of them.

Mr. F. Gatley, secretary of the sub-branch, outlined the benefits of the returned soldiers' organisation, and what it would do to assist the new Digger on his return. He complimented the boys on taking what he described as the finest step they had taken in their lives.

Lieut.-Colonel E. E. Patterson. M.C., added his congratulations, saying: 'God only knows, men are needed on the other side.' Old soldiers, he added had been curious to know how the Australian soldier would fare in modern warfare. Some had been inclined to doubt the Australian's ability, but Bardia had proved that he was the best soldier in the world - anywhere, at anytime. He asked them to treat the Rising Sun as an emblem of everything that was good and right, and to be proud of it.

MEN'S APPRECIATION

Mr. C. McDowall of Eidsvold, returning thanks, said that the treatment he had received since his arrival in Maryborough would be a memory that he would carry all his life. He referred particularly to the hostel, and the splendid tea given by the ladies that night. At the instance of Mr. E. Hillary (Nanango), three rousing cheers were given for the ladies.

Responding, Mrs. E. Jacobi said that if any soldier had no friends, all he had to do was to write to the Federal Band ladies' committee and she would see that he was corresponded with regularly.

Presentations to three Maryborough men in the draft were made by the Mayor. Mr. E. Jacobi, secretary of the Federal Band, said that the band's effort was some small repayment for the support the band had received in the country areas.

Roll of Honour

The draft, including J. E. Seefeldt of Bundaberg, comprised personnel from the Bundaberg, Burnett, Maryborough and Gympie regional areas, namely Gympie, Ideraway, Bundaberg, Mundubbera, Nanango, Maryborough, Murgon, Gayndah, Kingaroy, Goomeri, Wallavllle, Childers, Mulgeldie, Monto, Eidsvold, Goomboorian, Miriam Vale, Cedar Pocket, Kunioon, Proston, Goodwood, Apple Tree Creek, Cedar Pocket, Montville, Bauple, Dagun, Lagoon Pocket, Imbil and Wagenville.

The ladies who supplied the tea were Mesdames E. Jacobi. J. Carr, M. A. Crane, W. Crane. B. Brion, H.C. Fuchs, Ogden, Muir, Rosin, W. Guley, Misses E. Brion and D. Weickhorst. The draft, in company with 40 national service trainees who will enter camp at Chermside, were played to the station by the Federal Band.

Julius passed his medical examinations as fit for Class 1 and was assigned as Private QX13001 to the 2nd/15th Battalion (5th Reinforcements) of the Australian Military Forces. His next-of-kin was given as his mother, Mrs Rebecca Seefeldt of 55 Victoria Street, East Bundaberg, Queensland. His father Julius Edward William Seefeldt was in ill-health and died on 31st August 1946, just five months after the night his youngest son left by train for Brisbane for his initial training in the Australian Imperial Forces.

Private Julius Seefeldt’s physical attributes were listed as:

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Eyes: Blue

Complexion: Fair

Hair: Brown

Julius’s War Records show that he was on Active Service on a full time basis for 1685 days from 20th March 1941 to 29th October 1945 when he was eventually discharged in Redbank, Queensland. He has spent 326 days in Australia and 1261 days on overseas service which included:

Middle East: 27th June 1941 to 30th May 1942 in the Middle East

South West Pacific: 10th September 1942 to 11th February 1943 in New Guinea

South West Pacific: 20th July 1943 to 27th December 1944 in Port Moresby, New Guinea

South West Pacific: 22th February to 20th October 1945 in Bouganville, New Guinea.

The times in between were spent at rest, quite often in Townsville, North Queensland.

Private Julius Edward Seefeldt finally returned to Australia on 20th October 1945 after the war ended. He was discharged nine days later on 29th October at Redbank, near Ipswich, Queensland and returned to Bundaberg. He was now nearly 39 years of age. What now?

Julius met Nellie Mulvena, a widow aged 47. Her husband, Henry Robert Mulvena (known as Harry) had died the previous year on the 4th June 1944. Nellie lived at Bundaberg North and had two adult sons, Cecil and Robert, both of whom were not married at this time. Cecil Thomas Mulvena was 27 years old and also a returned serviceman from WWII. Robert James Mulvena was 23 years old.

Julius Seefeldt and Nellie Mulvena (nee Calvetti) were married on 19th November 1945 in Bundaberg. Julius then enjoyed having two step-sons to watch them grow further and marry their sweethearts. Cecil married Norah Mary Flood, daughter of Thomas and Bertha Flood of Boulia, Qld on 21st January 1947. Robert married Mavis Idella Smith on 4th September 1948.

Julius Edward Seefeldt died aged 49 years in Bundaberg Hospital on 21st May 1956. He was buried in the Bundaberg General Cemetery on the 23rd May in the Bundaberg General Cemetery in the Returned Services Section (RSS), Grave A2256. The grave is sponsored by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Nellie (daughter of Dominico Calvetti and his wife Olivero Margheritto Rolando) lived to 84 years in Bundaberg East and died on 23rd October 1982. She is buried with her first husband, Harry Mulvena whom she had married on 6th June 1922. Their combined grave is in the Bundaberg General Cemetery in Section C4. Grave C202.

Bibliography:

1. War Records WWII

2. Qld BDM

3. Trove Newspapers

4. Bundaberg Regional Council – Cemetery Records

5. Bundaberg School Indexes – Bundaberg Library

6. Find A Grave

7. My Family History Research