Australian Army Veterinary Corps
Ernest William Henry REINMUTH
Private
Died 7 September 1918 · Aged 41
His story
Ernest William Henry Reinmuth was a Tasmanian commercial traveller, married to Edith Lucy and the father of four children. The family lived at Penguin. He was born at Perth, Tasmania; the earlier research review gives 12 February 1877, while his enlistment papers record an age of 38 years and seven months in September 1915.
He joined on 22 September 1915 and took the oath at Claremont, Tasmania, on 23 September. He served as Private 1131 in the remount service, initially with the 4th Squadron of the 1st Australian Remount Unit. His service statement records embarkation from Australia on 12 November 1915, and the casualty form records disembarkation at Suez on 9 December.
He transferred to the Veterinary Corps at Heliopolis on 2 May 1916 and was taken on strength of the 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section in Belgium on 15 September 1916. His record includes hospital treatment in France, including fever in November 1917 and May 1918, and leave in England in March 1918. He transferred to the Australian Veterinary Hospital at Calais on 21 June 1918 and was taken on its strength on 24 June.
On 31 August 1918, Reinmuth was presenting a horse for inspection when it suddenly pulled away and kicked him in the face. He had cared for the animal for about a fortnight and believed it to be quiet. The accident report described him as a good horseman and recorded a severe wound to the right cheek region, with a probable compound fracture. His commanding officer found that he had been performing military duty and that neither Reinmuth nor anyone else was to blame.
He was admitted to the 10th Canadian Stationary Hospital at Calais on 3 September and died on 7 September 1918, aged 41. Although an early service entry described death from disease and mentioned meningitis and a fractured upper jaw, the record was subsequently corrected to death from accidental injuries. A letter to his widow dated 24 June 1919 confirmed the horse kick, hospital admission and death from the resulting injuries.
Reinmuth was buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte. The contemporary burial record gives Plot 5, Row E, Grave 2c, with the Reverend W. Hardwick officiating.
Before the war
- Nationality
- Australian
- Date of birth
- 12 February 1877 (Virtual War Memorial)
- Place of birth
- Perth, Tasmania
- Occupation
- Commercial traveller
- Residence recorded
- Penguin, Tasmania (AIF embarkation address and contemporary newspaper); Launceston memorial hometown
- Family
- Wife Edith Lucy Reinmuth, Penguin, Tasmania; four children recorded at enlistment
Military service
- Rank recorded
- Private
- Service number
- 1131
- Corps or service
- Australian Army Veterinary Corps
- Unit
- 1st Australian Remount Unit, 4th Squadron; 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section; Australian Veterinary Hospital, Calais
- Earlier service
- Reported six days of earlier AIF service and discharge; recorded previous rejection for an inflamed bunion
Death and burial
- Date of death
- 7 September 1918
- Age
- 41
- Place of death
- 10th Canadian Stationary Hospital, Calais, France
- Recorded cause
- Died of accidental injuries following a horse kick to the face while on duty on 31 August 1918
- Cemetery or memorial
- Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte
His life in dates
- 22–23 September 1915Joined, then took the oath at Claremont, Tasmania.
- 12 November 1915Embarked from Australia in the remount service.
- 15 September 1916Taken on strength of the 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section in Belgium.
- 21–24 June 1918Transferred to, then joined the strength of, the Australian Veterinary Hospital.
- 31 August 1918Injured by a horse during an inspection.
- 3–7 September 1918His medical treatmentAdmitted to the 10th Canadian Stationary Hospital; died from the injuries.
Selected dated events from the evidence identified below.
Where he worked
- Australian Veterinary Hospital
Transferred on 21 June 1918 and taken on strength on 24 June; his horse-handling accident occurred on 31 August.
A recorded posting supplies context for his service. Exact duties and presence during a particular incident require their own evidence.
Connected men
- Edwin ABRAHAMAlso recorded with Australian Veterinary Hospital
- John BURRELLAlso recorded with Australian Veterinary Hospital
- John Russell DICKSONAlso recorded with Australian Veterinary Hospital
- James BOLLARDAlso buried at Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte
Sources and further reading
Cite this biography
Graham Hodgkins and Pete Matthews, “Ernest William Henry Reinmuth”, Veterinary Virtual War Memorial, https://vetsremembered.org/people/ernest_william_henry_reinmuth/.
Contribute information
Can you supply a photograph of Reinmuth or family material about Edith Lucy and their children? A civil birth record would also help establish his precise birth date.