Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Oswald Percy Neild Grieves was born on 26th January 1897 at West Wyalong NSW, the 3rd eldest of 5 children born to his parents Thomas and Annie Grieves.  His older siblings were Gladys and Kenneth and his younger siblings were Douglas and Doris.  His father was a doctor and he served in WW1 but was discharged medically unfit.  His brother Kenneth also served in WW1.  Oswald served in the Commonwealth Military Cadet Corps prior to WW1. 

On 4th June 1915 Oswald enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Liverpool NSW aged 18.  He’s described as being 5ft 6ins tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.  His service number was 7747, his rank Private and he was assigned to the 1st Australian General Hospital Special Reinforcements.  He embarked from Sydney on 14th October 1915 on HMAT Port Lincoln and upon arrival in Egypt proceeded for duty to the ANZAC Convalescent Depot at Helouan.  Oswald was promoted to Corporal in January 1916.   In mid-May 1916 he proceeded to Tel-el-Kebir Camp then 2 weeks later embarked from Alexandria for England on HMT Corsican.  He proceeded from Folkstone UK to France on HMAT Invicta on 16th July 1916 then transferred to the 3rd Field Ambulance on 31st July and joined them at Berteaucourt.  The unit moved throughout northern France and by late October 1916 were at Buire to take over the Corps Rest Station.  On 11th November 1916 there was an enemy air raid on the Rest Station and the following is the entry in the Unit Diary: “At 00.40 this morning an enemy aeroplane flying low, dropped 6 bombs on the 1st Anzac Rest Station.  Five patients were killed outright, thirty three wounded more or less seriously and three slightly.  Of the personnel at this station one was killed, four seriously wounded and one slightly wounded.  All of these belonged to No. 3 Australian Field Ambulance.  One bomb was dropped on the Orderly Room, destroying a number of the records of the station and of the unit.  Damage was done to four marquee tents and eight bell tents.  The distinguishing lamps were burning brightly at the time the attack was made.” 

Oswald was one of those seriously wounded and was evacuated to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly with a bomb wound to the right arm.  The following day he was transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital (!AGH) at Rouen then evacuated to England 4 days later on HMHS Carisbrooke Castle from Le Havre.  He was admitted to Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley the next day then transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital (1AAH) at Harefield on 23rd December 1916.  Upon discharge from hospital he took leave in January 1917 then proceeded to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth on 1st February 1917.  He embarked form Plymouth on HMAT Benalla for return to Australia on 13th February 1917 and disembarked at Melbourne VIC on 10th April 1917 then proceeded to NSW.  He was discharged for the service on 9th May 1917. 

After the war Oswald worked as an insurance inspector and in 1924 he was granted a soldier’s settlement at Maitland NSW.  On 17th December 1924 he married Isabella Young Martin Hamilton at the Warrior’s Chapel of the Christ Church Cathedral at Newcastle NSW.  It was the first soldier wedding to be held in the newly built Chapel.  They welcomed 2 daughters…Patricia born 1927 and Margaret born 1930. 

Oswald enlisted for WW2 on 18th September at Newcastle NSW aged 44.  His service number was N90592 and he was assigned to the 2/3 Casualty Clearing Station, however, there is nothing else recorded on his WW2 service record. 

Oswald is commemorated on the Stockton War Memorial and the St Paul’s Church Honour Roll at Stockton NSW. 

Oswald Percy Neild Grieves was awarded for service in WW1 the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Anzac Commemorative Medallion.   

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 27th March 2023.