Haasy, Gustavius

2106 Private Gustavius (Guss) Haasy - 44th Battalion AIF

Gustavius Haasy was born in Geelong Victoria in 1867 to Gustavus and Eliza Haasy. His father had been German born but had spent much of his life in England before coming to Australia. He had two siblings, with Sophia (1865) and Henry (1870). Sadly Henry died shortly after birth.

The family initially lived in Geelong, before moving to Melbourne. Guss's father died in Melbourne in 1873, but it appears that he had deserted the family in 1872 and the children were raised in industrial schools. Eliza lived with her children in Fitzroy. His mother then moved to Colac, but it appears Guss remained in Melbourne. Guss's mother Eliza died in Colac on the 23rd December 1887.

After leaving school Guss took up an apprenticeship in being an Iron Moulder in Melbourne. He continued with this trade after his apprenticeship finished.

On the 9th March 1888 in Fitzroy Guss married Emily Price and they went to live in Collingwood. They had two children, Gustavius in 1888, and Fanny in 1890, but sadly both died shortly after birth.

Guss and Emily divorced in 1900, and Emily died three years later in 1903.

After his divorce Guss came to Western Australia looking for a new start. In 1903 he married Tamar Abigail Jeffery. In 1903-1905 they were living in 64 Scott Street Beaconsfield. (later renumbered to 25 Scott Street)

They had two children, Elsie born in 1903 and Walter 1907 and Ivy in 1918. Sadly Elise died at three years old in 1906.

Guss was 49 years old when he enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 31st March 1916 though he put his age down to 44 when he signed up. The medical examiner recorded his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 4 inches tall;

Weight - 153lbs;

Chest Measurement - 35-37 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Grey.

After his successful enlistment, Guss was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.66 Training Depot. He was taken through the basics of infantry work in this camp. After a few weeks he was transferred into the 3rd Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion AIF.

This group trained in WA for the next few months while they waited for their embarkation orders came through. On the 10th October 1916 Guss and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Suffolk. The ship then set sail for England, reaching Plymouth on the 2nd December 1916.

Upon arrival in England Guss was sent to the 11th Training Battalion. He was not here long before he fell ill with pneumonia. He was sent to Fargo Military Hospital and was there till the 16th March 1917. He was then returned to the 11th training Battalion and was there for the next four months.

In July 1917 Guss's fitness level was reclassified to a lower level which meant that he was no longer classed as fit for active service. He was then returned to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth in October 1917. On the 1st November 1917 Guss boarded the troopship Anchises for return to Australia. Guss arrived back in Fremantle on the 25th December 1917.

He was discharged from the AIF on the 13th March 1918. Guss then returned home to 40 Chester Street Beaconsfield.

He remained in Chester Street through to the 1930's. (later renumbered to 52 Chester)

Guss died on the 18th November 1937 in Fremantle aged 70. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON AA0630