MCGRATH, John Albert
| Service Number: | 3417 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 6th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Colac, Victoria, Australia, July 1888 |
| Home Town: | Moreland, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 26 July 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Deniliquin War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 11 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 3417, 8th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 3417, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Adelaide | |
| 26 Jul 1916: | Involvement Private, 3417, 6th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3417 awm_unit: 6th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-07-26 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Michael Silver
PRIVATE JOHN A. McGRATH, DENILIQUIN – KILLED IN ACTION
The sad intelligence reach Deniliquin on Monday that Private John A. McGrath had been killed in action in France. The deceased enlisted from Deniliquin about twelve months ago, in company with Private J. Grieve, and both were in the same battalion until June, when the deceased private joined the Engineers. Prior to enlisting he was an employee of Mr. W. O'Callaghan of this town, he was of an unassuming, bright nature, and much esteemed by a very large circle of friends. Deceased, who was vice president of the local branch of the Hibernian Society, had reached the age of 28 years, and the bereaved relatives have the genuine sympathy of the whole community in their irreparable loss. Monsignor Treacy at Mass on Tuesday morning spoke of the sad loss and mentioned that a Requiem Mass would be celebrated on Thursday morning for the repose of his soul. Out of respect the municipal flag was flown half-mast. R.I. P.
The following letter was received by his brother from Private Grieve at the front:
France, August 4th, 1916.
Dear Ted, — On behalf of our section, and especially on my own behalf, I convey to you, your mother, and family, our deepest sympathy at the loss of your brother and our dearest comrade, who was killed in action on July 26th, 1916.
He was a man in life, and he died a man, as his last action shows. He volunteered to carry a wounded comrade out of the trenches to the dressing-station, and having taken his patients, and returning, he was killed by a shell. He was well prepared for death. He and I always attended to our duty, and if anything can con-sole his family, it is the fact that he is enjoying the fruits of a good and honest life on earth. I would have cabled you but was not allowed to do so. Am sending you his shaving outfit, his other personal belongings will be forwarded by the Department to you.
I can hardly realise he has gone, for we were great chums, and I am lost without him. There was not a man in the line that was not greatly upset at the news.
Well, Ted, old boy, I can write no more. Wishing you all the very best of earthly gifts, I am, your ever faithful friend, JACK GRIEVE.
Source: Melbourne Tribune, 28 September 1916, page 5
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