Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Francis was brought up in Saddleworth and Caltowie in the mid-North of SA. After school, he joined the Audit Office, then the Coroner's Office as a clerk. At the outbreak of the Boer War, he enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Infantry Regiment and served with some distinction in South Africa. He remained on the active list in the army and became an officer in various Light Horse Regiments in Adelaide. During WW1, he served as an Area Commander, responsible for training army recruits. He was a keen singer and sportsman (district cricket and lacrosse). Professionally he became Acting Coroner for Adelaide. Three of his sons served in WW2, two as Captains, one as a Colonel.

"Lieutenant Francis Charles Siekmann... initially served as a Sergeant (service number 117) with the 4th Imperial Bushmen Contingent. He was invalided back to Australlia, arriving on 12 April 1901. He was promoted to Lieutenant and served with the 2nd Battalion, Australian Commmonwealth Horse (SA). A book "Oxford Complete Works of Shakespeare", found by Siekmann in a South African camp, is held by the Australian War Memorial..." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

"OBITUARY.  Mr. F. C. Siekmann

Mr. Francis Charles Siekmann, whose death is announced this morning, was formerly Acting Coroner. He was the second son of Mr. Ernst Siekmann, who came to Australia in 1854 and took up land, part or which subsequently became the township of Saddleworth. Mr. F. C. Siekmann was born at Saddleworth in 1872. He was educated at Jamestown school, and joined the public service at the age of 17. He served for a time in the Audit Office, and was subsequently transferred to the Coroner's office. He enlisted in 1900 with the 4th Contingent sent to the South African war. As a member of the 1st Imperial Bushmen's Corps, he saw several months' service, but had to be invalided home after contracting enteric fever. He returned with the Seventh Contingent to South Africa under the command of the late Colonel de Passey. At the end of the campaign he came back to South Australia and later became Coroner's Clerk, and while Dr.Ramsay Smith was away at the Great War he was Acting City Coroner. He had a good baritone voice, and was prominent in Adelaide musical circles. He was also a member of the Modern Pickwick Club. He played for the East Torrens lacrosse and the Heathpool cricket clubs.

Having gained a commission during the South African campaign, he was promoted to adjutant of the 16th A.L.H., and held the post for seven years. For five years he was an area officer. He was a councillor, and for several years chairman of the District Council of Payneham. He also held a seat on the East Torrens Local Board of Health and was deputy-chairman of the Metropolitan County Board. He left a widow. There were four sons, three of whom survive, and a daughter. Mrs. J. W. Flood, of Victor Harbor. All the surviving sons hold commissions in the army, Captain Peter E. Siekmann is now in Sydney, and Lieutenants Keith and David Siekmann have been at the officers' school. Mr. Siekmann retired from the public service in 1937, and has been living at Toorak." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 22 Nov 1940 (nla.gov.au)