John Francis Grabham MM
From Our Contribution
 photo Linton Reynolds Oct 2015 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Death | 15 Nov 1918 |
| Place of Death | Amiens, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 5 months |
| Description | 5'2" (1.57m) tall; weight 100 lbs (45.4 kg); fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair. |
| Occupation | orchard hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Roleystone, via Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Step Father Mr James Edward Grabham |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3800 |
| Date of Enlistment | 30 Aug 1915 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement, transferred to 51st Battalion / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Nov 1915 - 14 Dec 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | RMS Mongolia |
| Fate | Died of Influenza 15 Nov 1918 in the 41st Stationary Hospital, Amiens, France |
| Monument | none at present |
| Medals |
Military Medal 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
1915 Sep edition. "Has gone into camp from Roleystone and along with Keith Podger, and Harris Smith was given a send off on Saturday 13th September."[1]
Initially intended to be one of the 12th Reinforcements to the 11th Battalion, he was transferred to the 13th Reinforcement draft for 12th Battalion.
In Egypt in early Jan 1916 he contracted mumps and was admitted to the 4th Australian General Hospital at Abbassia before transferring to the No.1 Auxiliary Hospital in Heliopolis and then to the British Red Cross Hospital.
On his return to the 3rd Training Battalion in late March 1916, he was transferred to the 51st Battalion in April 1916. Sailed from Alexandria to Marseilles with the 51st Battalion on the HMT Ivernia, arriving in France on 12 June 1916.
With some medical restrictions resulting from his mumps, he was attached to the battalion's Pack Transport Section, and on 1 Oct 1917 was appointed Driver. He spent a week on leave in the UK in March 1918.
Died of influenza/Bronchial pneumonia on 15 Nov 1918 after being first admitted to 13th Australian Field Ambulance on 8th November and then to 41st Stationary Hospital, Amiens where he died.
Award Comment
Military Medal Recommendation date: 13 June 1917
'From 5th to 12th June 1917 near MESSINES these N.C.O.s and men [6704 W. BERRY, 4315 F. McKENZIE, 4838 J.J. O'BRIEN, 8460 F.E. NELSON, 6317 P.S. CHARLWOOD, 2085 A.W. SIMMONS, 2206 W.W. ARBERY, 3250 K.C. BASSETT, 3800 J.F. GRABHAM] were employed with the Divisional Pack Transport Troop which was used nightly in taking up supplies, water and ammunition to the various Battalion Headquarters. The various convoys came nightly under heavy shell and machine gun fire and their work was carried out in the dark and under trying conditions. In some cases the supplies were taken up to within a few hundred yards from Front Line. These N.C.O.s and men have been selected in order of merit out of the 77 N.C.O.s and men employed, as having set an example of coolness under fire and determination in carrying out their duties.[2][3]
Post War
In 1919 James' mother had moved to Third road, Armadale.
Notes
Initially buried in the Dury Hospital Military Cemetery, he was later exhumed and moved to the VILLERS - BRETONNEUX MILITARY CEMETERY, Plot 12, Row AA, Grave 7 . The reason for exhumation was that access to his original grave was only via the courtyard of a "lunatic" asylum.
Son of James Edward and Harriet Grabham, of Third Road, Armadale, Western Australia. Born at Kelmscott, Western Australia.
Note his enlistment place of birth is given as Sydney, New South Wales. In his Will, he reveals that his correct name is John Francis Rouse (Mother's maiden name), aka Grabham.