Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Grove Price Ralph was born in Kent Town, South Australia during 1890. He was 25 years and 8 months old when he enlisted into World War One. Grove Price Ralph grew up and was raised according to the Christian faith. He had a wife named Violet Gweneth Anne Ralph, whom he had two kids with, before enlisting. Grove has no known siblings. Before, enlisting and leaving for war, Grove was experienced with mechanics, motor-vehicles and an educated driver.

Once enlisted, Grove went and trained in Alexandria, Egypt for a year, 1915 to 1916. Before leaving to Egypt his battalion made a short stop in Albany, Western Australia. Training in Egypt would have been terrible, the conditions would have been hot, sticky with little water and resources enduring long gruelling days. He was enlisted into the 10th battalion. The 10th Infantry Battalion was one of the first infantries raised for the Australian Imperial Force. The 10th battalion was recruited in South Australia along with the 9th, 11th and 12th battalions. These four battalions came together to form the third brigade. The battalion was created and called together just weeks after the declaration of war.

This battalion was involved in countless battles. Some of these battles are the landing at ANZAC cove, the battle of Amiems, the third battle of Ypres, Gallipoli and the battle of Albert. The 10th Infantry Battalion was also a part of the battle of Pozieres which was a smaller battle in the much larger battle of Somme, the battle of Somme was also the battalions first major action and movement while in France.

As well as this, the 10th battalion was also stationed at the Western Front. Grove’s battalion was on the Western Front for approximately two years from 1916 to 1918. The conditions of the Western Front trenches were disturbing and horrific. It would have been cold, muddy, filthy, crammed and unhygienic. The battalion was also the covering force for the landing at ANZAC cove on the 25th of April, 1915. As well as this, they were heavily involved in establishing and defending the ANZAC position front line, until they were evacuated in December. They also help stop the German spring offensive in March and April 1918. In addition to this, they were a part of the great allies offensive of 1918. They also were involved in the greatest success in a single day on the Western front.

Grove Price Ralph suffered many injuries through his service in World War One. The first injury was when he sprained his ankle, the second injury was when he was accidently hit by a grenade damaging his right eye and wounding his left leg. The third injury Grove required while fighting in World War One was when he re-sprained his ankle and his fourth and last injury was when he was accidently hurt in the field. After all of this, the guns went silent and they were called to return home on 11th of November, 1918.

However, despite all these injuries and enduring World War One Grove Price Ralph was able to return home to his family; his wife Violet Gweneth Anne Ralph, two children, loved ones and friends in one piece. All his immediate family members and distance relatives were all alive and healthy when he returned from the war. Luckily, Grove Ralph did not acquire any life long injuries from World War One, although the emotional and mental scars would never leave him as he lived out the rest of his life. After the war Grove received three medals; The 1914-15 Star, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. As his fighting days were over he continued to live his life with his family, until he passed away from old age.

ANZAC stands for Australian New Zealand Army Corps. The qualities of being an ANZAC are determination, hardworking, resilience and persistence. The Australian New Zealand Army Corps spirit is the value of self-sacrifice and mateship, a feature that all Australian and New Zealand World War One soldiers share. The solider Grove Price Ralph reflected the ANZAC spirit through the way he overcame his multiple battle wounds and went back to war each time. With his multiple injuries the opportunity to over-exaggerate them and return home would have presented itself. However, Grove Price Ralph showing the true ANZAC spirt of self-sacrifice, resilience, persistence and determination stayed and saw the war through.