GRANT, Robert John
| Service Number: | 1611 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 December 1914, Claremont, Tasmania |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 15th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Elgin, Scotland, 1890 |
| Home Town: | Queenstown, West Coast, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 5 July 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme Plot 11, Row D, Grave 8 - Rev. G.E. Wheeler officiated , Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy St Pierre, Amiens, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Launceston Cenotaph |
World War 1 Service
| 11 Dec 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1611, Claremont, Tasmania | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1611, 15th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Clan McGillivray embarkation_ship_number: A46 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Feb 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1611, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Clan McGillivray, Melbourne | |
| 8 Aug 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1611, 15th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, Shrapnel wound (buttocks) | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1611, 15th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (First), 2nd occasion - GSW (left wrist) | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Bullecourt (First), "Private Grant was noticed for his self sacrificing bravery during attack on HINDENBURG LINE South of REINCOURT on 11th April, 1917. He acted as Stretcher Bearer and did heroic work in recovering and dressing wounded and then getting them back to safety all the time exposed to heavy Machine Gun and Rifle Fire from enemy. He was wounded severely while carrying out his duty. he was responsible for getting in a large number of wounded men. His conduct deserves recognition." | |
| 4 Jul 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1611, 15th Infantry Battalion, "Peaceful Penetration - Low-Cost, High-Gain Tactics on the Western Front", 3rd occasion - Multiple shell wounds (right arm, left leg, left hand, left thigh and back) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Carol Foster
"Born in Elgin, Scotland in 1890, Robert John Grant immigrated to Australia in 1911. He was married to Isabel, had two children, Mathar and Sophie, and working as a miner when he enlisted in the AIF in Tasmania on 11 December 1914. 1611 Private R J Grant embarked aboard HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray at Melbourne with the 2nd Reinforcements to the 15th Battalion on 2 February 1915.
On 8 August 1915, Grant was seriously wounded on Gallipoli during the fierce fighting for Hill 971 (Koja Chemen Tepe). Evacuated to England for treatment he eventually rejoined his battalion in France in August 1916.
Grant was wounded for the second time when, on 11 April 1917, he was shot through the wrist during the First Battle of Bullecourt. He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for his bravery during this action. The Citation reads, 'Pte. GRANT was noticed for his self sacrificing bravery during attack on HINDENBURG LINE South of REINCOURT on 11.4.17. He acted as Stretcher Bearer and did heroic work in recovering and dressing wounded and then getting them back to safety all the time exposed to Heavy M.G. and rifle fire from enemy. He was wounded severely whilst carrying out his duty. He was responsible for getting in a large number of wounded men. His conduct deserves recognition'.
After treatment and convalescence in England, Grant rejoined his unit in December 1917 and continued to serve with the 15th Battalion until he was severely wounded during the fighting for Hamel on 4 July 1918. He was taken to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station and died from his wounds the next day. He is buried at the Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-Sur-Somme just west of Amiens." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Son of James and Annie Grant; husband of Isabel Grant of 170 Bathurst, Street, Hobart, Tasmania. At the time of Robert's enlistment the address was Jericho Street, Queenstown, Tasmania. Isabel later remarried and was known as Isabel Martyn
25 May 1916 - overstayed leave. Fined 4 days full pay
Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
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