Private Joseph Andrew Ulseth

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1513 Private Joseph Andrew Ulseth

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1513 Private Joseph Andrew Ulseth, 50th Battalion, First World War

Joseph Andrew Ulseth was born at Glanville Blocks, Port Adelaide, South Australia, on 11 July 1896, to Mary Ulseth (nee Kennedy) and Charles Edward Eriksen Ulseth.

Joseph’s father, Charles, migrated from Norway to Australia around 1876. His first marriage was to Lydia Caizey Brown in 1880, together they had six children. Lydia died in 1885 aged 27. In 1886, he was remarried to Mary Kennedy, together they had five children. 

Ulseth was educated at the Glanville Public School.&

Prior to his enlistment, Ulseth was employed as a driver with John Hains & Co and was also involved with guarding the bridges at Port Adelaide.

On 28 November 1914, aged 18, Joseph enlisted in the First World War, joining the 10th Battalion and embarking for active service aboard HMAT Runic on 19 February 1915.

On 7 May 1915, only days after the first landing at Anzac Cove, Private Ulseth arrived at Gallipoli. He remained there until 23 May when he was admitted to 1 Australian General Hospital in Cairo for shellshock.

A medical report included in his service record, dated 2 July 1915, stated that Private Ulseth was suffering from neurasthenia, often characterised as chronic fatigue.

In the report, it states this was caused by an event:

“[He] was jammed between two railway trucks in March 1914, neurons disability resulted and the condition thus caused…”

The report goes on to say:

“He is both physically and mentally weak, his answers to questions are slow and hesitating, he is in a state of continued tremor all over when questioned and is obviously unfit to undertake military duties of any kind whatsoever”.

Ultimately, the report recommended that Private Ulseth be discharged as permanently unfit and to be returned to Australia.

On 29 July 1915, Private Ulseth embarked the HS Hororata at Suez, for his return back to Australia.

Although Private Ulseth was examined as medically unfit, he remained in Australia for just seven months before he was reallotted to the 50th Battalion, embarking for active service once again, aboard the HMAT Borda.

Private Ulseth arrived in Tell El Kebir on 29 February 1916 and was transported to Marseilles 12 June 1916.

Just two months after, on 16 August 1916, Private Ulseth was reported missing.

Private Ulseth’s Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing file describes his last sighting. Corporal James Allan Murray (service number 2717) stated:

“…He was sent back from our advanced position with two or three German prisoners. He handed them over to the Sgt Major of B Coy and left to return to our position which he never reached. I do not know that he was ever seen again after that.”

Another report was made by Private Oscar Frederick Zanker (service number 1514) wrote:

“I knew this man very well. He and I came over from Australia in February 1915 in Troopship “Runic” A.52 with the 3rd Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion. I recently received a letter from the mother of Ulseth in which she informed me that she had heard from her son, who wrote to her from Germany, where he is now a Prisoner of War.”

Further enquiry was made to confirm whether anyone else in the battalion had received a letter or postcard from Private Ulseth as a prisoner in Germany was made, however, none were reported. His name was also never recorded on a Prisoners of War list.

Private Ulseth’s fate was updated to previously reported missing, now reported as killed in action, France, 16 August 1916. He was just 21 years old. He is commemorated at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in Somme, France. 

In an article published by The Daily Herald he was described:

“He was of a quiet and unassuming disposition and was well liked by all who knew him.”

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