KRAMER, Victor, Edward and Henry

Victor, Edward and Henry were three of six sons of German born Valentine Kramer and his wife, Mary. The boys were born in the Inverell District and were living at Gilgai prior to enlistment.

Victor, a twenty two year old Stockman with fair hair and blue eyes, went first. He enlisted in December 1914 and departed Australia in March 1915 as a Private with the 6th Light Horse Regiement, 4th Reinforcements. He fought at Galliopli, Kantara and Moascar and was promoted to Sergeant in 1916.

Edward enlisted on 8 March 1915 and became a Private with the 19th Battalion, D Company. He was twenty eight and a single man at the time. He served in France and suffered from Trench Feet which required hospitalisation in England in 1917. After attending a Bombing School in England, he returned to his unit and was appointed Lance Sergeant. Nine months later he was promoted to Sergeant and then wounded in action.

Henry was thirty three when he enlisted in June 1916 and became a Private with the 34th Battalion, 4th Reinforcements. He served in France, was wounded in 1917 and hospitalised in England. After returning to France, he was reported as missing in action in May 1918. Subsequently he was found to be a Prisoner of War in Germany. At the end of 1918 he was repatriated to England and returned home the following year.

Edward returned home in January 1919, and Victor in June that year. The three brothers are listed on the Gilgai Honour Roll and the Inverell Honor Roll located at the Memorial Pool.

Photo: Victor Kramer outside his tent.

Photo contributed by family