GRIFFITHS, John Caddawallder
| Service Number: | 3336 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 July 1915, Keswick, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Port Adelaide, South Australia, 19 February 1869 |
| Home Town: | Thebarton (Southwark), City of West Torrens, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engineer (S.A.R.) |
| Died: | Died of Wounds, France, 9 December 1916, aged 47 years |
| Cemetery: |
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Norwood Primary School Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3336, 10th Infantry Battalion, Keswick, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3336, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 50th Infantry Battalion | |
| 15 Oct 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 50th Infantry Battalion | |
| 5 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 3336, 50th Infantry Battalion, 'The Winter Offensive' - Flers/Gueudecourt winter of 1916/17 | |
| 19 Nov 1916: | Wounded 'The Winter Offensive' - Flers/Gueudecourt winter of 1916/17, 9 Dec 1916 Died of Wounds (GSW head) sustained near Flers |
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Add my storyBiography
"THE LATE LANCE-CORPORAL GRIFFITHS.
Lance-Corporal John C. Griffiths, who died of wounds at the 10th General Hospital on December 9, was the second son of the late Mr. John Griffiths (one time headmaster of the Walkerville school) and Mrs. Phoebe Griffiths, of Hackney-road. Lance-Corporal Griffiths was for many years employed in the Loco Department of the South Australian Railways, and was well known in cricket, football, and musical circles. Before he enlisted his pleasing tenor voice was frequently heard at charity entertainments and socials, and his ability as an entertainer considerably enlivened the weary hours of the men at the front. Of the seven descendants of the late Mr. John Griffiths of a military age three (Lieutenant West Baker, Private Ainslie Griffiths, and Lance-Corporal Griffiths) have lost their lives fighting for their country. Of the remaining four, three are on active service, and one has been rejected for service by the military authorities. Lance-Corporal Griffiths left a widow, one son, and one daughter. At this time last year the family were mourning the death of Private Ainslie Griffiths, who was killed at Gallipoli." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 30 Dec 1916 (nla.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
John Caddawallder Griffiths was born on February 19th, 1869, in Port Adelaide. Growing up in the suburb of Thebarton in the City of West Torrens, South Australia, with his parents, John Griffiths and Phoebe Emily Buck Griffiths and his siblings, Llwqwllyn Hwnry Griffiths and Ainslie Arthur Hope Griffiths.
John was working as an engineer with the South Australian Railways (S.A.R.), before the war.
He answered the call of duty and enlisted in the armed forces to serve his country 27th July 1915.
Tragically, on December 9th, 1916, John Caddawallder Griffiths succumbed to wounds sustained in the line of duty. His sacrifice is commemorated at the St. Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen, France, where he rests alongside fellow servicemen who gave their lives for the cause of freedom.
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