Theodore Friederick Ulrich, DSO & Bar, VD (10 December 1888 – 12 December 1963) was an Australian officer in the First Australian Imperial Force during the First World War.[1] Born in Ararat, Victoria to a family of German ancestry, he spent his childhood in Melbourne and early adult life employed as a clerk for a firm under the ownership of Sir Charles Wellington Connibere.[2] In 1911 he enlisted in the Citizens Military Force, serving in the 1st Battalion of the 6th Australian Infantry Regiment until 1912 when he transferred to the East Melbourne Regiment.[1]
Theodore Friederick Ulrich | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 December 1888 Ararat, Victoria |
| Died | 12 December 1963 (aged 75) Brunswick, Victoria |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service | Citizens Military Force |
| Years of service | 1911–45 |
| Commands | 12th Garrison Battalion (1939–45) 22nd Battalion (1926) 29th Battalion (1921–26) 5/6th Infantry Regiment (1919–21) 6th Battalion (1918–19) |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (3) Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration |
Ulrich was shipped out to Egypt as a lieutenant in October 1914. In April 1915 he landed at Gallipoli and was promoted to captain two days later.[1] He succumbed to illness in November and was evacuated, recuperating until February 1916 whereupon he deployed in France as a major, and shortly after a brigade major. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order during the Battle of the Somme as well as being mentioned in dispatches.[1] He took command of a battalion in July 1917, and was wounded at the Battle of Ypres in October that year but needed only a few days to recuperate.[1]
In April 1918 his assumed command as a temporary lieutenant colonel after his superior officer was killed. He led his command at the Battle of Lihons and the Battle of Herleville Wood where he received a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order, and was twice more mentioned in dispatches.[1]
Ulrich was returned to Australia in 1919 and placed in command of militia units. He moved into business as a butcher and was married. He remained in civilian life until the outbreak of the Second World War where he was given command of an Australian-based garrison until 1945 when he retired once more to business.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Higgins, Matthew (1990). "Ulrich, Theodore Friederick (1888–1963)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. XII.
- ^ De Serville, Paul H. (1981). "Connibere, Sir Charles Wellington (1864–1941)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. VIII.