Frederick John Heintz (22 July 1913 – 20 February 1942) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was killed at Ambon in World War II.
Career Fitzroy Strictly speaking, he made his VFL debut for Fitzroy, against Collingwood, on 18 July 1931, when he was selected as 19th man;Rattray, Gordon, "Magpies Home", The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 18 July 1931), p.2. however, in those days, the 19th man in a VFL team only took the field to replace an injured player – and, because there were no Fitzroy injuries, Heintz, although selected, never took the field. He was selected, for a second time, in the Fitzroy team, on the half-forward flank, against Footscray, on 22 August 1931; he did play that day,Wilson A., Footscray's Ninth Win, The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 22 August 1931), p.1 and that's why some records show it as his debut, and others show it as his second game.
Oakleigh In 1934, he was cleared, by Fitzroy, to the VFA club Oakleigh, on the understanding that Oakleigh would release him back to Fitzroy if ever he was required there.
Fitzroy requested his return in 1937, just after the second VFA round of the season;F. Heintz Cleared, The Age, (Monday 26 April 1937), p.7. yet, notwithstanding Fitzroy's request, Heintz did not play for Fitzroy again and, although missing seven VFA matches, he resumed playing for Oakleigh in round 9 (12 June) of the 1937 season.Good Kicking Highlight at Yarraville, The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 12 June 1937), p.3.
In all, he played 57 games for Oakleigh, over five seasons (1934 to 1938), scoring 116 goals.The VFA Project: Heintz, Fred. J.
Military service He joined the Second AIF in June 1940. He died in active service. Heintz … was part of the 2/21 Battalion Gull Force sent to the island of Ambon in the Banda Sea to defend key airfields and deep water harbours. A huge Japanese force invaded the island in January, 1942, with heavy Australian casualties, including 229 Diggers who were executed at the Laha airfield and others taken prisoner of war. Precise details of Heintz's death are not known and he was reported as "presumed" dead, the date of death recorded as February 20, 1942. Private Frederick John Heintz has no known grave and is commemorate at the Ambon Memorial, which takes the form of a shelter …Main & Allen (2002), p.263.Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Private Heintz, Frederick John, Service Number VX24926.
See also List of Victorian Football League players who died on active service
Footnotes
References Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing. Main, J. & Allen, D., "Heintz, Fred", pp. 262–263 in Main, J. & Allen, D., Fallen – The Ultimate Heroes: Footballers Who Never Returned From War, Crown Content, (Melbourne), 2002 World War Two Nominal Roll: Private Frederick John Heintz (VX24926). World War Two Service Record: Private Frederick John Heintz (VX24926). Roll of Honour: Private Frederick John Heintz (VX24926): Australian War Memorial. Photograph: National Archives of Australia. Army Casualties: Overseas: Previously Reported Missing, Now Believed Died While Prisoner of War, The Argus, (Wednesday, 19 December 1945), p.6.
External links
Boyles Football Photos: Fred Heintz.
Fred. J. Heintz, at The VFA Project.