GRIFFIN, Andrew James
| Service Number: | 4061 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 October 1915, Holsworthy, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Coutts Crossing, New South Wales, Australia, 21 August 1897 |
| Home Town: | Coutts Crossing, Clarence Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carter |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Pozières, France, 15 August 1916, aged 18 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4061, Holsworthy, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4061, 4th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4061, 4th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 15 Aug 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4061, 4th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
A Noble Tribute
Mrs. F. C. Sanders, jun., received the following letter from Sergeant-Major Law concerning the death of her brother, Private A. J. Griffin. At the time of his death he was in the company’s machine gun section. He was a good chap and his services were most valuable, and he was though much of by his mates. I was with him when he was killed. It was by an enemy shell, while we were holding a trench we had captured at Pozieres, and he died as any soldier would wish to die, a brave and gallant death. He was buried with the usual army ceremonies and honors and we placed a cross to mark his last resting place. Another testimony of Australian loyalty to the cause of freedom for which we are all prepared to sacrifice ourselves. You must allow me to offer my deepest regrets and heartfelt sympathy to all the family and yourself in your sad bereavement and I trust this letter may offer some consolation for the loss of such a good man, as I am sure Andy must have been. Believe me to be your sincere friend. - Sergt-Major H. J. LAW. - The Daily Examiner, Grafton, issue dated Saturday, January 27, 1917.
Submitted 18 December 2016 by John Johnston
Church Service Hymn
At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Grafton, yesterday morning, Rev. H. D. Mackie stated that a cable had been received announcing the death of Private Andrew Griffin, son of Mr. Griffin, of Bacon-street, who was killed at the front. An appropriate hymn was sung by the congregation at the close of the service. - Grafton Argus, issue dated Monday, September 11, 1916.
Submitted 18 December 2016 by John Johnston
KILLED IN ACTION
Yesterday Mrs. Griffin, of Bacon-street, received word that her son, Private Andrew Griffin, aged 19, had been killed in action in France about 17th August. Deceased was a native of the Orara, and lived at Coutts' Crossing for some time. Deceased was employed at the Grafton Dairy Co. for some time. Private W. J. Griffin has been invalided from Egypt, and is now in a convalescent home in Sydney; he enlisted from Nambucca. Private C. Griffin is in camp at Enoggera. - Grafton Argus, issue dated Monday, September 11, 1916.
Submitted 18 December 2016 by John Johnston
Biography contributed by John Johnston
Andrew was born at the family home, River View, Orara River, Coutts Crossing, NSW on August 21, 1897 the youngest son of Hugh and Mary Griffin. He was killed in action at Pozieres on August 15, 1916. Two of Andrew's brothers also enlisted for service during WWI. Charles was wounded at Ypres in 1917 and William became ill with Typhoid and eventually returned to Australia from Egypt on the Hospital Ship "Suffolk" and discharged, medically unfit.
Click images to start slideshow.