GRAINGER, William
| Service Number: | 2908 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 August 1916, Fremantle, WA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Maybole, Scotland, 1878 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Struck by Car, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, 28 July 1940 |
| Cemetery: |
Fremantle Cemetery, Western Australia Presbyterian EE Grave 0671. Grave also contains the remains of his wife, Janet. |
| Memorials: | Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Aug 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2908, 48th Infantry Battalion, Fremantle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Sep 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2908, 48th Infantry Battalion, Sailed from Fremantle on the Argyllshire | |
| 29 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2908, Shell wound to head. Transferred to England on 3.10.17 to Graylingwell War Hospital in Chichester. | |
| 8 Aug 1918: | Wounded Private, 2908, 12th Infantry Battalion, Remained on duty. | |
| 2 Dec 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2908, 48th Infantry Battalion, After the Armistice, the 48th went to Belgium. For a short time, he was Batman to Brigadier General Leane. |
Help us honour William Grainger's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
FREMANTLE FATALITY.
Struck by a motor car at the intersection of Queen Victoria and James streets, Fremantle, about 12.30 a.m. yesterday, William Grainger (62), of Tuckfield-street, Fremantle, received fatal injuries. He was taken by the St. John ambulance to the Fremantle Hospital and was found to be dead on arrival there. The car was driven by John Penn Nankivell, of Broome- street, Cottesloe. Mr. Grainger was in business as a bag merchant in Packenham-street, Fremantle.
Biography contributed by Helen Harmer
William Grainger was born in Maybole, Ayreshire, Scotland in 1881. He enlisted at Fremantle on the 14.8.16 aged 35 years 2 months. He was a labourer and Presbyterian. William’s next of kin was his wife, Janet Grainger, of 36 Wesley St Fremantle. They had six surviving children. Described as 5 feet 6½ inches tall, with a chest measurement of 34½ - 37 inches, fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He was allocated the rank of Private and service number 2908 with the 48th Infantry Battalion. William embarked from Fremantle on the Argyllshire on the 11.9.16. William sailed to France with the 12th Inf Battalion on the 29.5.17, then transferred to the 48th Battalion on the 21.6.17. He was wounded in action on the 29.9.17 and transferred to England on the 3.10.17, to Graylingwell War Hospital in Chichester with a shell wound to the head. He returned to France on 8.5.18 and was again wounded in action but remained on duty on the 8.8.18. After the Armistice, the 48th Battalion went to parts of Belgium that had been occupied by the Germans near Charleroi. William didn't return to England until April 1919 and there is a note in his service records that he took on the role of Batman to Brigadier General Leane for a short time.
He returned to Australia on the Plassy on the 5.9.19 and was discharged on the 2.12.19. He initially continued his work as a wool classer and then operated from his bag merchant business in Bannister Street Fremantle. On the 28.7.1940 William was struck by a taxi on the corner of Queen Victoria and James Streets. He was taken to Fremantle Hospital but died shortly after arrival. He was 62 years old and survived by his wife and five children.
William was buried in Fremantle Cemetery, Presbyterian Monumental section EE, grave 0671. Janet died aged 76 on the 10.5.1956 and is buried with him.
NAA Series #B2455, Barcode 4671025
Click images to start slideshow.