Born on 4 November 1895, Theodor Schultze was the son of German-born export merchant William Schultze and his British wife Caroline. In 1911 they were living at 32 Cosbycote Avenue, Herne Hill. Theo had a 22-year-old sister, Marguerite, and the family employed a cook as well as and a housemaid. In addition to having a German surname, he awkwardly shared his first name with that of the Kaiser, but Theo is just referred to on the Census form as "Theodor". Theo joined Dulwich College in the summer of 1908 and was a pupil there for four years. After leaving in 1912 he took up employment, like his father, in the export business. Upon the outbreak of war in August 1914 , Theo attempted to enlist but was not permitted to because of his role in exports. However, he did sign up to be a special constable. In December 1914 the vicar of St Paul's wrote in the parish magazine: "Mrs Schultze feels, I regret to say, that she must resign the charge of the Mothers' Meeting at the end of the year. She and her daughter have devoted themselves to the members with loving care and the parting will be keenly felt by all as a personal loss." Is this a possible indication of local xenophobia?

In late 1915 Theodor Schultze was allowed to leave his job; he enlisted in the Queen's Westminster Rifles in January 1916. The Battalion was assigned to the 56th (1st London) Division. In July Theo Schultze went over to France and spent the following two months serving on the Somme. On 7 September the Battalion was stationed near Maricourt when Schultze was killed by a shell blast. The Battalion diary reports that they were "500 yards NE of Faviere Wood. Casualties - 7 O.R. killed - 1 Officer and 7 O.R. wounded". He is buried in the Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz.