Desmond Theodore Du RIEU

World War 1 Service

Among the heroes who returned from the front on Saturday last was Lieutenant D. T. De Rieu, only son of Mr. A. T. Du Rieu, of Grant avenue, Toorak. Lieutenant Du Rieu was one of the first to enlist in South Australia as a private in the 10th Battalion, and participated in the landing at Gallipoli, where he was wounded. After spending 12 months in France with his battalion he was transferred to England, where he received his commission. On his return to France he saw fighting for over six months, and was severely wounded at Meteren on April 25 last. He was mentioned in despatches for conspicuous bravery under fire. Lieutenant Du Rieu is well known in athletic circles, having played with the Adelaide District Cricket Club and the North Adelaide Football Club." - from the Adelaide Daily Herald 12 Oct 1918 (nla.gov.au)

"Desmond Theodore Du Rieu (1890-1969), winemaker, was born on 20 November 1890 at Broken Hill, New South Wales, second of three children of Adolph Theodore Du Rieu, an electrician who became a hotelkeeper, and his wife Lillie Mary, née Crabb, both South Australian born. Desmond was educated at Largs Bay College, Adelaide, and later represented South Australia in lacrosse. Enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on 19 August 1914, he sailed with the 10th Battalion for the Middle East. He was shot in the neck at Gallipoli in April 1915. After transferring to the military police, in March 1916 he was sent to the Western Front. Du Rieu was commissioned in August 1917, rejoined his old battalion and was promoted lieutenant in January 1918. Within three months he was again wounded, this time in the thigh and groin. He was invalided to Australia where his A.I.F. appointment terminated in Adelaide on 6 December.

As a soldier settler, Du Rieu took up land at Renmark in the Murray Valley region of South Australia. He described himself as a horticulturist when he married Kathleen Robertson on 4 March 1924 in St Peter's Anglican Cathedral, North Adelaide. Her father Robert had founded Chowilla station, of which Du Rieu was subsequently appointed a director and chairman (1958-68). He became president of the Renmark branch of the Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia, and chaired the River Murray Districts Arbitration Committee, the Renmark Homes Trust and the local racing club..." -

https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/109665

Desmond Theodore DU RIEU

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=84373

See bio at http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/du-rieu-desmond-theodore-10077

K.I. Connection

Parents managed the Ozone Hotel, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island 1918-1923

The friends of Mr and Mrs Du Rieu will be pleased to hear that their son, Lieut. D. T. Du Rieu is progressing favorably from a serious operation necessitated by a wound reoeived recently on the west front and has been invalided home.

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), Saturday 20 July 1918, page 2

Family

For sources and more details, click here

1. Adolph Theodore Du RIEU was born 12 Mar 1864 in Willunga, SA and died 28 Jun 1951 in Renmark, SA. He married Lilly Mary CRABB. She was born 11 Nov 1863 in Adelaide, SA and died 03 Mar 1943 in Monreith, SA, daughter of Henry CRABB and Susan GASON.

Other events in the life of Adolph Theodore Du RIEU

Residence: BET 1918 & 1923, Ozone Hotel. Kingscote, Kangaroo Island

Children of Adolph Theodore Du RIEU and Lilly Mary CRABB:

i. 2. Desmond Theodore (Skeet) Du RIEU was born 20 Nov 1890 in Broken Hill, NSW and died 08 Jun 1969 in Renmark, SA

ii. Harry Clare Du RIEU was born 29 Apr 1893 in Glen Osmond, SA and died 28 Nov 1893 in Glen Osmond, SA

Generation 2

2. Desmond Theodore (Skeet) Du RIEU was born 20 Nov 1890 in Broken Hill, NSW and died 08 Jun 1969 in Renmark, SA. He married Kathleen ROBERTSON 04 Mar 1924 in North Adelaide, SA. She was born 21 Sep 1891 in Medindie, SA, daughter of Robert ROBERTSON and Adelaide Mary HARVEY.

Other events in the life of Desmond Theodore (Skeet) Du RIEU

Military: SN 146 Lieutenant 10th Inf Batt

Last updated: 22 May 2021