Johann George Schultz was born in Geelong on 28 June 1899. He was the second son of Ernest Schultz and his wife, Pauline (nee Hartwich). Ernest was an engineer with a specal interest in developing a process of producing a cheap, fine grade motor oil from crude oil extracted from shale. He took out a patent in 1927 but a series of companies with which he was associated failed.
The family moved to 124 Grey Street, East Melbourne, in 1909. The house was one of two matching, large, wooden, prefabricated houses erected on neighbouring blocks in 1853. Johann, or George as he was known by his family was educated at Scotch College and then followed his father into engineering.
When he enlisted on 1 May 1918 Johann stated that he had had four years' experience with the Senior Cadets 64B East Melbourne, and was currently a member of the Citizens' Forces 64 Infantry, Melbourne. In spite of his apparently excellent qualifications his German name counted against him and his recrutiment was not approved until 20 May 1918 after investigation into his background was completed. He was appointed to the Recruit Depot Battalion at Broadmeadows. He embarked with the 13th General Service Reinforcements on 5 October 1918 on the Zealandic and disembarked in London on 5 December where he was allotted to the 23rd Battalion Reinforcements and then transfrerred to the Australian Army Medical Corps Details on 18 December. On 22 December he was sent for duty to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Bulford. This hospital specialized in venereal disease. Patients numbered over 1000 and a typical stay for a patient with gonorrhoea was 53 days. The staff and patients enjoyed Christmas dinner of poultry and plum pudding purchased with funds provided by the Red Cross. Johann was absent without leave for one day in March for which he was admonished by his colonel and forfeited one days' pay. On 6 May 1919 he was sent for duty to a hospital in Fovant followed by time at Hurdcote, and then on to Sutton Veny in July. He was absent without leave again for four days in August. This time he forfeited five days'pay. For two months from 1 September 1919 he was granted leave for non-military employment, as a motor mechanic, to attend the National Council YMCA, 13 Russell Square, London, after which he returned to Sutton Veny.He embarked for Australia on 22 January 1920 and arrived home on 9 March.
After the war he returned to 124 Grey Street where his parents still lived and joined his father in his engineering business, along with his brother Ernest Leslie, who also enlisted. The 1949 electoral rolls show him still living at 124 Grey Street but he died in Fitzroy in 1978.
