Hans Margulies (1889-1960)

The Army Years 1911-1918

Die Stellungspflicht dauert 3 Jahre - beginnend mit 1. Jänner jenes Kalenderjahres, in welchem der Wehrpflichtige das 21. Lebensjahr vollendet und endet bei regelmäßiger Erfüllung derselben mit 31. Dezember jenes Jahres, in dem er das 23. Lebensjahr vollstreckt; Source: Wehrgesetz für das Heer in der ö-u. Monarchie
http://www.weltkriege.at/Justiz/wehrgesetz.htm

Every male Austrian was required to serve in the armed forces for three years, starting on January 1st. in the year he became 21. After his service was over, he automatically became a member of the Reserves, until he was 43.

Hans Margulies, born 1889, ... Citizen of Alexanderfeld in the District of Bielitz, County of Silesia, Austria, was conscripted in 1911 and served in the k.u.k army, finishing his service as Lieutenant {Oberleutnant} in the Reserve Army (Rank 1.11.1917, Lieutenant {Leutnant} 1.9.1915) in the k.k. 31st. Militia {Landwehr} Infantry Regiment ( = 31st. Defense Regiment {Schützenregiment}).
In 1918 he was assigned [in this rank] to the War Press-Corps. Hans Margulies was on active duty from 22.12.1914, and - after an illness on 7.2.1915 - again from 2.8.1915.
On 25.9.1915 he received the Silver Medal of Bravery, 2^nd Class, for Courage in the Face of the Enemy.
On 4.7.1916 he was awarded the Bronze Military Service Medal on the Ribbon of the Military Service Cross, "in Recognition of of his Courageous Behaviour and Exemplary Services against the Enemy". Excerpts from a letter from the Austrian State Military Archives

According to the letter from The War Archives Hans was conscripted for his 3 year service in 1911.

But according to his CV he was

1912 Dramaturg der Volksbühne Wien unter Stefan Grossmann und Dr. Arthur Rundt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dramatic advisor at the Volksbühne Vienna under Stefan Grossmann und Dr. Arthur Rundt.

So something is not right here. Perhaps he was a "1 Year Volunteer" ?

Die Begünstigung als Einjährig-Freiwilliger den Präsensdienst abzuleisten steht nachfolgenden Wehrpflichtigen zu:
a) Absolventen eines Obergymnasiums oder einer Oberrealschule und sonstiger besonders bezeichneter mittlerer Lehranstalten (z.B. künstlerische, technische, gewerbliche, kaufmännische, nautische, forst- und landwirtschaftliche). Source: Wehrgesetz für das Heer in der ö-u. Monarchie
http://www.weltkriege.at/Justiz/wehrgesetz.htm

i.e. under certain conditions, you could volunteer and serve for just one year.
I've seen mentions of a 1-year military service for Heinrich and Emil too.

What follows is purely speculative, and is mentioned here as a reminder to me, to look for more documentary evidence (troop movements, etc).

k.k. Landwehr Infanterie Regiment Nr. 31
91. Landwehr Infanteriebrigade | 46. Landwehr Infanterie Truppendivision | I. Armeekorps
   Errichtet: 1901
   Garnison: Teschen
   Nationalitäten: 33 % Tschechen / 37 % Deutsche / 27 % Polen / 1 % Andere
   Ergänzungsbezirk: Teschen und Wadowice
   Kommandant: Oberst Emil Maculan

Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiserlich_K%C3%B6nigliche_Landwehr

Conscription was probably "done locally" and Teschen [PL: Cieszyn] was in the former Silesia, quite near to Alexanderfeldt.