GRIERSON, William
| Service Number: | 1190 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 October 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 13th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Dirleton, East Lothian, Scotland, 1885 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Bricklayer |
| Died: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 17 November 1957, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, NSW |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1190, 13th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1914: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 1190, 13th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Embarked Lance Corporal, 1190, 13th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Melbourne | |
| 16 Nov 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 13th Infantry Battalion | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Imprisoned Bullecourt (First) | |
| 27 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1190, 13th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
William Grierson was born in Scotland and was in Sydney, New South Wales when he enlisted as a Lance Corporal in the 13th Battalion during 1914. He was six feet two inches tall on enlistment, and gave his occupation as a brick layer. His parents were Charles and Mary Grierson of East Lothian, Scotland.
He took part in the Anzac landing on 25 April 1915, having left Australia with the first contingent. He was wounded at the landing, on 28 April 1915, and evacuated to Malta. He was evacuated to Egypt and was then sent back to Gallipoli on 4 July 1915.
He was again wounded a month later during the August offensive at Gallipoli, being shot in both legs, and was suffering with debility and neurasthenia. He was again taken to Egypt.
While in Egypt recovering, his brother, 12053 Guardsman George Grierson, Scots Guards, was killed in action in France on 27 September 1915, aged 33.
William rejoined the 13th Battalion in Belgium on 4 October 1916. He was promoted to Sergeant a month later.
In 1917, he was recommended for an award for his efforts during the 13th Battalion’s famous attack on Stormy Trench. “In the attack on Stormy Trench N.E. of Gueudecourt on the night of 4/5th February, 1917, Sergeant Grierson, although unfit to be in the line from sickness, showed a great example to all by his personal bravery, endurance and devotion to duty. After having organised his platoon after the advance he stood to his post on the parapet until relieved. During the whole time in the trenches his work was invaluable.”
He was reported missing during the first battle of Bullecourt, an action which cost the 13th Battalion very dearly in casualties, in killed, wounded and prisoners of war. Grierson was soon confirmed as a prisoner of the Germans and was repatriated to England in late November 1918.
William was returned to Australia in March 1919. He married Janet Cuthbert in Sydney during 1924 and raised three children.
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