The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Major Cyril Robert Seelenmeyer, Australian Army Veterinary Corps, First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Nicholas Schmidt, the story for this day was on Major Cyril Robert Seelenmeyer, Australian Army Veterinary Corps, First World War.

Major Cyril Robert Seelenmeyer, Australian Army Veterinary Corps
DOW 8 August 1918
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 23 October 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Major Cyril Robert Seelenmeyer of the Australian Army Veterinary Corps.

Cyril Seelenmeyer was born in Melbourne on 29 April 1892. He was the second son of Dr Adolphe and Alexandra Seelenmeyer. Little is known of his early life but by the outbreak of the First World War he was at Melbourne University studying veterinary science.

Military commanders were well aware that horses would prove a valuable commodity in the war. Artillery batteries and brigades had their own horses which they used to move both guns and ammunition around the battlefield. The horses had to be kept in good health to make this possible, so different Veterinary Corps were quickly put together to care for these animals.

Cyril Seelenmeyer was about to accept an appointment in the State Veterinary Department of Queensland when he decided to apply for a commission into the newly-created Australian Army Veterinary Corps instead. He was still a student but managed to complete his studies while also serving as a captain at the military camp in the Flemington show grounds.

Captain Seelenmeyer arrived in France in June 1916 after a number of months in Egypt. He was posted to the 10th Field Artillery Brigade and, apart from a short period of leave in March 1918, remained with his unit for the rest of his time in the war. Seelenmeyer would prove to be a very brave veterinary officer.

On 21 October 1917 particularly heavy shell-fire caught his Brigade Wagon Lines and more than 100 horses became casualties. Seelenmeyer went out to treat the animals while shells were still falling. During the attack his dugout was blown up and his veterinary equipment considerably damaged, but he still managed to save more horses than expected.

In 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross for his devotion to duty and most efficient service. He was also promoted to major. His horses regularly came under heavy artillery fire or aeroplane bombing attacks and more than once he went out under heavy fire to treat wounded horses. It was recognised that it was largely owing to his ready assistance, care and skill that the pack animals of his brigade were able to keep the batteries supplied with ammunition.

On the morning of 8 August 1918, Major Seelenmeyer was treating a horse when a shell fell nearby. He was taken to a hospital with a badly damaged leg. He died shortly after arrival and was buried nearby.

He was 26 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Major Cyril Robert Seelenmeyer, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.