Informant.  Sergeant: 134 Victor Percy MELVAINE. described Private: 173 Thomas John SCHAEFER as about 5 ft 10 inches high, rather thin, curly hair, aged about 20. He came from Enmore near Uralla. Informant states that on the morning of the big stunt against Messines both he and SCHAEFER were in Platoon No: 1 of "A" Company. The hop-over took place at 3:10am. Informant's Platoon was told to dig a new trench in "No Man's Land" and while so engaged SCHAEFER was hit by a shell at about 7:00am and killed instantly. He was the first man in the Platoon to be hit. Informant did not actually see him struck, but saw him a few minutes afterwards. Informant is sure that he was buried either at Dead Horse Corner or in a small graveyard on the edge of Ploegsteert Wood.

Informant stated that if necessary more information could be obtined from Lieutenant: Harlod Steinfeld SUSMAN now in charge of interned Germans at Trial Bay and who said he had written to the relatives, but perhaps his letter never reached them.

No: 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick, N.S.W. Aust.

Harold was a single 31 year old Merchant from 212 Clarence Street, Sydney, N.S.W. upon enlistment. His father Alfred lived at Charles Street, Adelaide, South Australia.

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : Saturday 12 June 1954)

Sudden Death Of Lt-Col. SUSMAN

Lt-Col. Harold Susman, of Giles street, Toorak Gardens, died suddenly on Thursday. Lt-Col. Susman, who was 59 was a prominent Free mason. He was born at Ballarat. Victoria. In World War I. he served in the 33rd Battalion in Prance and Belgium, and was wounded at Messines in 1917 During World War I. He was commanding officer at Wayville showground camp, and later at Warradale camp. He retired from the army toward the end of the war. Alter the first World War, he spent several years travelling extensively in the US and the Far East. He settled in Adelaide in 1924, and became well-known in the furniture trade. He was a foundation member of Legacy and remained a member until his death. He was a member of the Toorak Bowling Club for many years. He is survived by his widow, a son, David, and two daughters Jean and Nanette. The funeral was held privately yesterday. Free masons and Legatees acted as pallbearers.

(Australian National Archives)