84833
SCHULZE, Charles William
| Service Number: | 331 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 5th Machine Gun Battalion |
| Born: | Athelstone, South Australia, Australia, 26 June 1887 |
| Home Town: | Athelstone, Campbelltown, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Athelstone Primary School |
| Occupation: | Fruit Grower |
| Died: | Paradise, South Australia, Australia, 2 December 1920, aged 33 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Campbelltown St. Martin's Anglican Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Athelstone Memorial Hall, Campbelltown WW1 Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver, 331 | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver, 331 | |
| 11 Nov 1915: | Involvement Driver, 331, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Katuna embarkation_ship_number: A13 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Nov 1915: | Embarked Driver, 331, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Katuna, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Corporal, 331, 5th Machine Gun Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Charles William Henry Schulze (26 June 1887 – 2 December 1920)
Born: 26 June 1887 at Athelstone, South Australia
Died: 2 December 1920 at Athelstone, South Australia (aged 33)
Buried: Campbelltown Cemetery, South Australia
Parents: Christoph Heinrich Carl (“Charles Henry Christoff”) Schulze and Mary Sarah Farmer
Occupation: Fruit Grower
Service: Australian Imperial Force – 5th Machine Gun Battalion (WWI)
Early Life
Charles William Henry Schulze was born on 26 June 1887 in Athelstone, South Australia, the second son of Christoph Heinrich Carl Schulze (1854–1909) and Mary Sarah Farmer (1859–1934).
His father, a respected orchardist and market gardener of Huntworth, Athelstone, had German pioneer roots in the Adelaide foothills. Charles grew up among citrus groves and vineyards beside the River Torrens, part of a family active in community and church life.
He was educated locally and learned horticulture from his father, later taking over part of the family property. On returning from the Great War, he resumed farming for a short time before his early death.
Marriage and Family
Charles married Davina Grant Hood Stewart, born 12 June 1897 at Inverarity, Angus, Scotland.
Their only child, Charles William Schulze (1921–1971), was born on 5 February 1921 in Adelaide—eight months after his father’s return from war.
Following Charles senior’s death, Davina later remarried; their son eventually adopted the surname Beasley and settled in Canada, serving as a link between the Australian and Canadian branches of the family.
Military Service (1915 – 1919)
Charles enlisted in the A.I.F. on 12 August 1915, aged 28, giving his occupation as fruit grower and his mother, Mary Sarah Schulze of Paradise, as next of kin.
He stood 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) tall, weighed 156 lbs (71 kg), and had fair hair and grey eyes.
Embarked: 11 Nov 1915 aboard HMAT A13 Katuna
Disembarked: Suez – 16 Dec 1915
Served with: 32nd Battalion (Transport Section), then 8th Machine Gun Company → 5th Machine Gun Battalion
Theatres: Egypt and Western Front (France)
Rank on discharge: Temporary Corporal (Corpl.)
Returned to Australia: 13 Apr 1919 aboard SS Wyreema (Educational Scheme)
Discharged: 20 Jul 1919 – Medically fit
His records show hospital admissions for influenza and minor illness but no battle wounds. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
Death and Legacy
Charles died suddenly at his family home, Huntworth, Athelstone, on 2 December 1920, aged 33.
His funeral departed from his mother’s residence at Paradise for the Campbelltown Cemetery, where he was laid to rest beside his father.
Notices in The Register and The Express and Telegraph (3 Dec 1920) record tributes from family and the Torrens Valley Rifle Club, whose members attended his burial to honour their comrade.
His name appears on the Athelstone Memorial Hall Honour Roll and the Campbelltown WWI Memorial, ensuring his service is remembered in the community he helped to build.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 7/10/2025
Click images to start slideshow.