Cyril Robert SEELENMEYER

Major Cyril Seelenmeyer was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1892. He was the son of Son of Dr. Adolphe and Mrs. Alexandra SEELENMEYER.

He left school in 1907 and entered the Veterinary course at Melbourne University, obtaining a Bachelor of Veterinary Science Degree in 1914.

Volunteering for service in the First Australian Imperial (AIF) in August 1914, almost immediately after his graduation, and having been attached to the 4th Brigade, he served in the Middle East and in Europe with the Army Veterinary Corps during the First World War.

He was appointed Captain in October 1914 and promoted to Major on 16 April 1918. He was mentioned in General Haig’s despatches of 7 April 1918.

He was awarded the Military Cross “in connection with military operations in France and Flanders” in the 1918 King’s Birthday Honours in June 1918.

“For devotion to duty and most efficient service during the period 22 September 1917 to the 24 the February 1918 and including all the operation leading up to the capture of the Broodseinde Ridge (East of Ypres). This Officer has performed his duties in a efficient manner notwithstanding shellfire and aeroplane bombing attacks to which the animals under his care were frequently subject. It was largely owing to his ready assistance, care and skill, that the pack animals were enabled to keep the Batteries supplied with ammunition, notwithstanding their heavy expenditure during the above operations.”

He was wounded in action at Fouilloy, Somme, France, on 8 August 1918. He was struck by a flying piece of shell when attending to some wounded horses. Wounded in both legs, and with one of his legs nearly severed from his body, he was badly mutilated, and due to shock and his extreme loss of blood, he died of his wounds about half an hour later.