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Published: 20 April 2026.

In honour of ANZAC Day this weekend, today’s Windback Wednesday honours the service and sacrifice of Albert Carl Schmelzkopf, commemorated at the Burnside District Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial at Tree Number 87.

Born in East Adelaide in 1896, Albert was among the first South Australians to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War. Serving with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, he was deployed to Gallipoli in 1915 and later to the Middle East, where he took part in the Battle of Beersheba.

Despite being severely wounded while carrying ammunition under heavy fire, Albert showed exceptional courage and was awarded the Military Medal for his service. Like many Australians of German heritage at the time, his family changed their surname from Schmelzkopf to South.

Although Albert returned home after the war, his health never recovered. He died in 1923 at just 26 years of age, his passing recognised as a consequence of war service.

We remember Albert and all those whose lives were changed forever by war.
Lest we forget.

To discover Albert’s full story visit https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/232846(External link)

Photograph: Studio portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Albert Carl South (previously Schmelzkopf) MM. 1918. Australian War Memorial, P09220.001