Conrad’s birth in 1897 to Frederick and Emily Krug was registered at Warialda. His family lived at Gragin Station and he attended Graman Public School. Just prior to enlisting in January 1916, Conrad had been apprenticed to Blacksmith Gilmore at Warialda for eighteen months. According to his enlistment papers, he had previously been rejected for service due to his eyesight. As Conrad was under the age of twenty one, his father gave consent for enlistment.
Conrad joined the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs when they left Inverell on 12 January 1916 for the Narrabri and Armidale camps. He became a member of the 33rd Battalion which trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to sailing from Australia for England in May 1916. Further training was undertaken at Salisbury Plain as part of the 3rd Division. In August Conrad was sent to Perham Downs Trench Mortar School for a week’s special training. A few weeks later he was taken on strength with the 3rd Division Light Trench Mortar Bomb unit and sent to France on 21 November 1916.
Tragically Conrad’s war was very short. He was Killed in Action at Armentieres, France, on 23 December 1916 and buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery. His few personal effects which included a wallet, testament, 2 photos, woollen scarf and some French currency were returned to his Father.
Private Krug’s name is inscribed on the Graman Honour Roll, the Inverell Cenotaph and Honor Roll. He was one of the 215 men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade in 1919. At Delungra, Private Krug’s name is on the new Memorial Gate at Anzac Park.
Photo: Private collection