In 1901, the Sieber family were living at 28 Balhousie Street, Perth: Father, John F. C. (General Dyer, Manager) b. c1860, England; Mother, Agnes W., b. c1867, England; Daughter, Verena F., b. c1893, England; and Son, John L., b. 1893, England. Also living at this address were: John Sieber Senior’s Mother, Mary S., b. c1818, England; his Sister-in-law, Margaret C. Barker, b. 1886, England; and Margaret Forsyth (General Servant, Domestic), b. c1823, Aberdeen. John Lonsdale (Jack) Sieber was born in Guiseley, near Leeds on 10th November 1893.

He was educated at Perth Academy and the Bradford Technical College, where he took a course in Engineering. He was Apprenticed (premium) to the Argyll Motor Works at Alexandria, near Glasgow, when the Great War broke out in 1914. Jack enlisted at once as a Private in the 9th Royal Scots in Edinburgh, and served for several months in the ranks. He was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. 

Jack was sent to France in 1915 and was wounded, but quickly returned to duty. He marched down to the Battle of the Somme, advanced as far as Martinpuich, and was then invalided home. Jack recovered from his injuries and was one of twenty young subalterns who were chosen to see the Colonial Secretary as to their suitability for service in German East Africa.

 Jack Sieber married Margaret Burton Brown on 21st March 1917, and after being approved for service in East Africa he was part of an expedition that went by sea to cut off the German retreat southwards. He was involved in one of the last major conflicts of this campaign which drove the Germans into Portugese territory.

Jack Sieber was killed near Nyanga on 17th October 1917. He was 23 years of age.

Letter from the Commanding Officer 1st Bn. 2nd King’s African Rifles “Dear Mrs Sieber, “This letter will take, I am afraid, a long time to reach you, but I know you will wish to know how your husband fell. The battalion was ordered forward in support of another regiment attacking the German flank and was very soon afterwards sent up on the right of the regiment in front. The Germans were in strength and heavily counter attacked the right of your husbands company."

“He was killed almost at once and killed instantly, shot through the head. He never suffered at all. He was leading his men most gallantly under most trying conditions."

“As his commanding officer I can say what a good officer he was and I always knew whatever I gave him to do I could rely on his carrying it out, no easy matter in this country of bush where so much patrol work has to be done."

“His brother officers miss him very much as he was most popular amongst us. His kit and other belongings are being sent off and should reach you in due course. His part worn kit has been sold by auction, and the amount realized will be credited to his account with the Paymaster."

“I send you the deepest and most sincere sympathy in your loss which I cannot attempt to measure. I do assure you that we too, mourn the loss of a gallant man and a delightful companion. He was buried in the bush.”

Yours sincerely, G.F. Giffard, Lt. Col. John Lonsdale

John Sieber is also commemorated on the Perth, St. Ninian’s Cathedral, War Memorial.