“What’s in a name?”

At the start of the First World War, most Australian citizens were of Anglo-Celtic descent, and the majority of immigrants were from England. Surnames of British origin were common, while others were anglicised to make them look and sound more English.

1. Read the case study of Adolphus (Adolph) Schmahl

a. What did he change his name to on his enlistment form, and why?

b. How many of Adolph and Ada’s sons served in the First World War? Did they change their names too?

c. How do you think Adolph felt when he was accused of being a German spy after the war?

d. The Heinecke family, and Augusta Enberg, also had their loyalty to Australia questioned despite their service. What impact do you think this had on their lives?

2. Read the case studies of Gersh Breitman, Ludwig Abhol, Norman Myer, and William Averkoff.

a. Where were these men born?

b. What names were the men given at birth?

c. What names did these men enlist under?

d. Do you think that changing their names had any impact on how they were viewed and treated in Australian society? Why or why not?

3. As part of the growing anti-German sentiment in Australia during the First World War, German culture and influence was scrutinised and often removed. This was particularly apparent in South Australia, which was home to more people with German heritage than the other states.  German language newspapers and music were banned, and Lutheran schools that instructed in German language were closed.

a. How might the removal of German culture and language have affected German communities in Australia during and after the First World War?

b. Looking at multicultural Australia today, can you find examples of how different cultures and languages are embraced?

In 1999, Governor General Sir William Deane apologised to members of the German Australian community who had experienced injustice in Australia during the world wars. You can read part of his speech here.

4. Sixty-nine South Australian towns with German names were renamed during the First World War. Some of these new names honoured wartime leaders and battlefields encountered by Australians. Since 1935, the German names of 20 places in South Australia have been restored.

Investigate the following South Australian towns or suburbs: Birdwood, Verdun, and Klemzig.

a. What was the original name of the town or suburb?

b. What was it changed to during the First World War, and what was the significance of the new name?

c. You might like to investigate other areas of South Australia that had name changes during the First World War, such as Bismarck, Hahndorf, or New Hamburg.

d. Name changes occurred in other Australian states too. Find out what Holbrook in New South Wales, and Grovedale in Victoria were called, prior to the war.

5. Other places named after First World War battlefields can be found around Australia. In the Southern Downs area of Queensland, 700 sections of land were allocated to the Soldier Settlement Scheme. Some of these were named after places where Australians had fought, including Bullecourt, Messines, Pozières, and Amiens.

a. Investigate the Battles for Bullecourt.  Were these battles successful for the allies?

b. What do you think Bullecourt meant for those who survived the battles?

c. Why might someone have chosen to name their Australian home after Bullecourt?

d. Identify the names of suburbs, streets, parks, or buildings from your area, that are named after places or people from the First World War. Google Maps may be helpful.

6. Members of the Australian Imperial Force were also known to rename streets and trenches in France during the First World War. Read about some of these names here: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/roo-de-kanga

a. Why do you think Australian servicemen chose street names like Roo De Kanga, Wombat Road, and Wallaby Lane for places in France?

b. How do you think the German armies and French civilians felt about these name changes?

c. You might also like to investigate the origins of the "Victoria School" in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Why did the French want to name their school after this Australian state? The school made an award-winning documentary about their connection with Australia, which can be viewed here.