General News
12 October, 2024
Veterans' Voices: Royal Henry (Paddy) Lackmann
Royal Henry (Paddy) Lackmann was born in Kaniva in 1893.
Royal was the fourth and last child of Frederick Henry Lackmann and Caroline Elizabeth Lackmann (née Payne).
After finishing his schooling at 18 years of age, he moved to Angaston in the Barossa Valley of South Australia.
Before enlisting in August 1915 he was branch manager in Elder, Smith & Co Ltd Wool Broker.
Royal had previously served as a senior cadet in Kaniva.
He enlisted in World War I on August 25 1915 in Adeliade.
Royal’s service number was 13999.
His unit on enlistment was 3rd 50th Reinforcements.
Royal served at the Non Comissioned Officers' (NCO) Port Battalion - P/Corps School at Morphettville, Adeliade, from January 16 1916 to February 11 1916.
He then served with 9 Group from February 11 to March 3 1916, when he received his commission.
On November 2 1916 Royal was seconded as a staff trainee to 4th Division headquarters.
Royal sailed from Adelaide on July 13 1916 aboard Seang Ree A48, bound for the United Kingdom.
On arrival, Royal attended a revolver course instruction, qualifying as 1st Class at Southern Command, Hareham.
He served from January 22 to January 28 1917 with 13 Training Brigade, Cosford, UK, as a musketry officer.
On June 19 1917 Royal proceeded from Tidworth in the UK overseas to France.
From July 5 1917 Royal was taken on strength of 50th Battalion from 3rd RTTS (Training) 50th Battalion.
On July 19 Royal was promoted to lieutenant.
He was marched to Harve on July 26 1917 to serve with 4th Infantry Brigade.
On July 29 he served with 50th Infantry Battalion.
From December 24 1917 Royal was detached from 50th Battalion to 13th Australian Infantry Brigade Headquarters for service.
From 2 July 1918 he served as a staff captain trainee (attached to 13th Australian Infantry Brigade headquarters) attached to 4th Australian Infantry Training Brigade to temporarily perform the duties of staff captain.
In August-September 1918 was promoted to temporary captain while employed as a staff captain with 4th Infantry Brigade.
On November 6 1918 he was seconded as staff trainee to 4th Division Headquarters as 2nd lieutenant (assistant to Captain Fowler).
On December 17 1918 Royal relinquished his ranks of staff captain with 4th Infantry Brigade and temporary captain and resumed regimental duties.
On April 8 1919 returned to England from France to start his journey back to Australia
Royal left England to Australia on May 12 aboard Port Napier and disembarked in Melbourne on June 29.
On August 25 1919 it was recommended that he relinquish his rank of captain owning to the termination of duty after the cessation of hostilities.
His date of termination was September 9 1919.
His last unit was 4th Infantry Brigade Headquarters.
His last rank was captain.
After returning from war, Royal resumed the position as manager for Elder, Smith & Co.
In 1919 he was made the Narrogin branch manager in Western Australia and moved states to live there.
On Monday September 6 1920, he married Mary Everingham, daughter of Mr and Mrs Canon Everingham, at St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Guildford.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Gretereaux.
The Lackmans would later have two children.
He was a keen golfer and was held in high esteem by the people of Narrogin.
Royal Lackmann, after serving as branch manager of Narrogin Elder, Smith & Co for 16 years, died tragically in Narrogin on June 29 1935 as a result of a tetanus Infection after been bitten by a sheep.
He was aged 42 years.
Royal was buried after a large funeral service in Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Perth.
His grave is in section ZB, site 0492.
Royal is commemorated on the Adeliade Elder Smith & Co Limited WWI Honour Roll Board, the Angaston District WWI Roll of Honour and the Burra District WWI Honour Roll.
Royal Henry Lackmann received the British War Medal.
With thanks: Sally Bertram, RSL Military History Library. Contact Sally at sj.bertram@hotmail.com or call 0409 351 940.