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Kenneth John, often known as ‘Jack’ was born in Adelaide on the 13th December 1914. His parents were John Edward and Gertrude Grindell. He was one of seven children with siblings Reginald George, Daphne Licelle, Max, Audrey Olive, Laurel Mildred, Betty and Beryl. The children attended the Kimba School, where the girls particularly proved to be strongly academic. Two of the sons, George and Jack would on occasion, help out their father on his property, Worturpa Hut, just east of Copley.
Jack was just four years old when his paternal grandfather, after whom his own father was named, faced a murder charge in what came to be known as the ‘Grindell’s Hut Murder’ on his property, Worturpa Hut, just east of Copley. With much circumstantial evidence mounted against him, John Snr was initially sentenced to hang, then be imprisoned for life. It was a case that dominated the local papers and had a profound effect on the family. The Adelaide Mail was instrumental in an eleventh hour intervention leading to the death sentence being commuted. The paper reported the reaction. ‘Mr. John Grindell jun. (elder son of the accused), speaking to the 'Mail' reporter, said he was so overcome with the glad tidings that he found it impossible adequately to express his feelings. 'I can do no more,' he said, 'than express thankfulness on behalf of my father and the family for what the 'Mail' has done. It certainly saved him from the gallows and rendered a service to justice and humanity. I am certain that if it were not for its intervention my father would have died an innocent man. Mrs. Snell, wife of the missing man, expressed similar sentiments, and reiterated the belief that her husband would yet return. All that Mrs. Grindell, the aged and infirm wife of the prisoner, who was prostrated with emotion, could say was, “When will he come home?”'
John Jnr moved his family to Tumby Bay where he was the licensee of the Commercial Hotel, later called the Sea Breeze Hotel, for a decade, from August ’37 until November ’47. Whilst there, he was deeply involved in the local community. He donated a beautiful rose bowl for the long road race of the Port Lincoln Amateur Cycle Club ’37 from Port Lincoln to Tumby Bay and return and was a regular supporter of the Tumby Bay Football Club.
Jack was a feisty young man whose passion was horses so inevitably he became a colt breaker. Legends surround his horse-riding skills with one claim that he rode a horse up the wide stairs of the Commercial Hotel and out onto the verandah. He was just 21 when he had his first brush with the law in the Adelaide Police Court following a ‘dust up’ with an electro-polisher from Nailsworth, who was a theatre attendant. From tendered evidence, it appeared that Jack became unruly before re-entering a picture theatre in Tynte Street, North Adelaide. The attendant had warned Jack that, "You cannot go in like that." Jack replied, "I'm going in, if I have to fight my way in." He also used indecent language. It was an expensive clash with Jack having to pay fined £5 with £1 15/ costs and pay 15/ compensation.
From there, Jack became part of Stan Gill’s Troup of Buck Jumpers travelling around the state, including Peterborough, Port Augusta, and Port Pirie. The entertainment included buck jumping horses and mules, monetary prizes for anyone who could saddle and ride the "Red Devil", survive for set times on mounts with names including the other outlaw, "Black Serpent," and “Mustard”. Jack was also lauded as a local in the stockyard rides, “headed by Broque Dodd (Central Australia), Jack Grindell (Tumby Bay, S.A.), and Tommy Fogarty (of Clare).” Jack was also claimed to be ‘5 years Kidman's leading stockman, Jack Grindell. from Tumby Bay’. In a report after the rodeo in Port Pirie the local Recorder wrote ‘Stan Gill and Bert Butler figured most prominently in the exhibition rides, with Brogue Dodd, Jack Grindell, and Tommy Fogarty also showing how it should be done.’
Unfortunately, in January ’40 at Bordertown, Jack received another unwelcome fine of £5, with 10/- costs, for carrying liquor from the Bordertown Hotel premises at 11.50 p.m. He was fortunate that a further charge of obtaining liquor at 11 o'clock on the same night, was withdrawn. Later that year he escaped a fire in the Bordertown Council Depot which destroyed his saddle and blankets, as well as tent, bedding, and personal belongings of Paddy Spruhan who occupied the galvanised iron premises with Jack. It was exceptionally fortunate that a quantity of blasting powder kept in the shed was quickly removed as only an iron partition separated drums of oil and petrol from the fire. Unfortunately, a further expensive Court Appearance followed when Jack was caught riding a bicycle on the Cannawigra road near Greyside without a light, being fined 5/-. with 10/-costs.
A final indignity whilst living at Mundulla, occurred when Jack accepted a ride into Bordertown (about 10Km). The car was the property of Elder, Smith & Co., Limited but had been obtained unlawfully by two other men. This cost Jack a fine of £2, with 10/-costs. At that stage, there was a strong recruiting drive in country areas. The Border Chronicle reported that a representative of the A.I.F. was available to ‘give information to anyone contemplating joining our gallant men overseas, who are so hard pressed. Sgt Golding will be only too willing to talk over the matter with any eligible man (between 19 and 40) who is giving this vital question serious consideration.’ Aged 26,Jack did, enlisting at Bordertown on June 18th. The paper reported that ‘K. J. Grindell (Mundalla), and E. S. Haines (Keith), both of whom passed their first medical test, and will proceed to Adelaide for the final medical examination.’ He formally enlisted at Wayville on the 5th July ’41 and was allocated the number SX13569 initially in the 2/10th Battalion. He listed his occupation as a horse breaker. (His older brother, Reginald George enlisted in January the following year as SX16748, serving in the Recruit Reception Depot. Sister Daphne also joined the AWAS in April.)
Loss of pay followed Jack into the army in August that year when he was absent without leave for two days. Soon after he transferred to the 2/48th Battalion but again went AWOL and received a further two day’s loss of pay. He arrived in the Middle East in March ’42 but by August was again in pay deficit for being AWOL. This was followed by a more serious breach of insubordinate language, striking a superior officer and wilful misconduct where he ‘aggravated disease’. A substantial fine of £5 was imposed.
Jack was quickly to become one of the famed Rats of Tobruk in a battalion which was to be highly regarded and decorated. In the fierce fighting of July ’42, he received a gunshot wound in his left shoulder and was evacuated to hospital. Young men Jack had known from the South East included Eric Chuck SX7666 of Kalangadoo and James Sutherland SX8881 from Millicent, both of whom had enlisted before Jack. All three were involved in the fierce fighting of the Middle East. James was killed in action on the 22nd July ’42 and in the same battle, both Jack and Eric were wounded. This was later reported back home back home by the local Border Watch in their August edition. It carried the tragic news of James’ death and noted that two of James’ friends in the 2/48th had also been wounded in action during recent fighting in Egypt. They were Private Eric J. Chuck, and Private Kenneth J. Grindell, of Mundalla both from the 2/48th.

At that stage, orders had been received to capture West Point of Tel el Eisa in a dawn attack. In late June ‘42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The 2/48th battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived.
In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter;
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
At the District Council Meeting at Beachport, reference was made to the death of Private James McArthur Sutherland, who was killed in action in Egypt on July 22. A letter of condolence was voted to be forwarded to the parents. Attention was also drawn to the names of the local soldiers wounded in action during recent fighting in Egypt. They were Private Eric J. Chuck, of Kalangadoo, SX7666 2/48th ; Private James S. Darwent, of Coonawarra S5498; and Private Kenneth J. Grindell, of Mundalla SX13569 2/48th.
Throughout August, the Adelaide based newspapers released the names of those killed or wounded in that battle. Included with James and Eric were several others from their battalion. They were SX7666 Pte. E. J. Chuck, Kalangadoo SX14872 Pte. James S. Darwent, Coonawarra. SX13569 Pte. Kenneth. J. Grindell. Mundalla. SX7996 L/Sgt. Colin R. Jacka , Adelaide. SX13300 Pte. Leon W. Jackson, Cowell. SX8019 Pte. Elliot Maloney, Birdwood. SX9555 Cpl Charles T. Matthews. Iron Knob. SX7312 Pte. Charles D. Rosenberg. Adelaide. SX7933 Cpl. Walter H. Stewien. Verdun. SX11860 Pte. Eric R. Teakle. Ungarra and SX13709 Pte. Laurence C. Walker. Beverley.
In September ’42 Jack qualified at the Tank Destruction School and was promoted to L/Cporal in November, followed by a further promotion in January ’43. Unfortunately, within days he reverted to Private because of his conduct ‘to the prejudice of good order and miliary discipline’.
His service time in the Middle East had come to an end and Jack was on the way home to Australia via Melbourne while also being treated for a severe inflammation of the large intestine whilst at sea. The Port Lincoln Times immediately reported that Jack and three other Privates, SX13065 Raymond W. Jameson 2/48th, SX11815 Harold Thomas 2/43rd and SX7114 Keven Branford 2/8th were back in the town and visiting family.
Having just returned from the Middle East, Jack then trained in Queensland where he experienced acute appendicitis and a further bout of hospitalisation. Soon after being discharged, Jack was again challenging orders, but fortunately was simply admonished. Two months later he had left Cairns, disembarking at Port Moresby, New Guinea in September ’43. An iconic photo of Jack and Pte Donald. F. Priester, SX8039 of Renmark, SA, is held at the Australian War Memorial. It shows Don holding a bren gun position just captured from the Japanese. Added information indocates that ‘It has been four days since they were able to have a wash and clean up.’ The tropical conditions contributed to Jack contracting several bouts of Malaria, a high fever, Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) and then a staphylococcus infection of the skin. He was initially treated by field ambulance but eventually returned to Australia via Brisbane in February ’44.
Back in Tumby Bay, his father continued to be active in helping raise funds for the Fighting Forces. The local Jockey Club held a picnic race meeting with many close finishes witnessed by over 400 attendees. John Grindell ran a booth which was reported to have ‘considerably increased the day's takings for the fund.’
Jack learned of the unexpected death of his mother, Gertrude who at the age of 55 died in May ’44 in the Tumby Bay Hospital. Jack himself, was not a well man and spent time in the Tumby Bay hospital recuperating from several bouts of malaria over July before then being sent to Kapara Convalescent Home for treatment in August, then returning to Tumby Bay to continue to recuperate. He then departed for Adelaide and his Battalion in September.
By the start of ’45 Jack was with the Australian Division Details Camp. Service in Tarakan followed in April ’45. He and his family marked the anniversary of their mother’s death with a memorial notice in the Advertiser. Jack’s read “GRINDELL. In loving memory of our dear mother, passed away May 26 1944. One year of sadness now has passed - since sorrow on us fell, for ever I will feel the loss of a mother I loved so well.—Ever remembered by her loving son Jack A.I.F.” Unfortunately, Jack’s conduct earned him a fine the following month and again Jack experienced ill health with a hookworm infection and yet more hospitalisation. By the end of that year Jack was able to return to Australia via Sydney for the final time. His war was over. Jack, a single man, was finally discharged in February ’46.
In April ’42 a young Ivy Louisa Goodes initially announced her engagement to Clarence Geue of Cummins in April ’42. However, that marriage did not eventuate, with Ivy and Jack being married in Adelaide on the 20th September ‘46. Sadly, his war years had severely affected Jack, but little was known of the diagnosis or treatment for this trauma. He and Ivy had three children, Dorothy June born in August the following year, Helen Gertrude in March ‘49 and Robert John (also known as Jack) in April ‘51. Jack’s formal name, ‘John’ was carried by his grandchildren also.
Jack was a strong disciplinarian with daughter Helen recalling that although she was young when her parents separated, she recalled that “she got the stock whip on her butt a few times for being cheeky and Jack was a dead eye dick aim.”
Jack and Ivy struggled to live together, but never divorced. Jack’s grand-daughter, Susan recalled Ivy ‘said she loved him with all her heart but could not live with him.’
Post war, Jack lived at Ungarra and worked for the railways. He was fortunate to escape a fire that broke out at the wood and iron railways barracks at Cockaleechie one evening in October ’55. Jack lost some of his belongings in the fire which totally destroyed the building. Jack walked with a limp which could not be explained by his gunshot wound to his shoulder during the war. When questioned on the cause, which was widely believed to be from a kick by a horse, Jack would tell the inquisitive children that it was to help him step over death adders on his way home to his humpy.
Later, Jack lived in a variety of different abodes including in a small tin shed by the Tumby Bay silos. The Ritz Café was a popular meeting place on the foreshore of Tumby Bay for locals as groups including the CWA made it their ‘home’ particularly during the war years. Doug Fergusson, who had been the manager of Mount Freeling Station, took over the lease in July ’61 with the promise of providing ‘three main meals a day, plus light snacks.’ (They also sponsored the Ritz Café Handicap lightweight sharpie club championship.). Doug employed Jack to help clean up and maintain the Café yard, which included stacking soft drink bottles and other odd-jobs that were needed. He would pick Jack and his large black dog up and bring them both into town. Later in the day, Jack’s dog would leave the Café at 3:00pm to walk to the local school, unaccompanied, and escort the two younger girls, Mandy and Julie back to the Ritz. Jack also helped with the clean-up following a storm in August ’62 which demolished the Café’s verandah and smashed a large plate glass window. It was particularly hazardous as live power lines and the poles themselves were down. Roxanne Fergusson (now Doran) recalled how her father tied his Land Rover to the Ritz’s verandah to provide some initial stability, giving strict instructions that the girls all stayed inside.
Jack’s widowed father died suddenly, aged 67 in April ’60. The following year, Jack’s wife Ivy died in July 1961. She was buried in the Port Pirie Cemetery. Jack lived to be 72 and died on the 10th February ’86. It was Doug Fergusson from the Ritz who had not seen Jack for a while. He travelled out to Jack’s hut where the faithful dog still stood watch over Jack, who was deceased. Unfortunately, the devoted dog would let no-one near his master’s body and sadly, had to be put down. Roxanne’s memory of Jack to this day is that he “was a lovely man and would do anything for our family.”
A plaque in memory of his service is in the Tumby Bay Cemetery. It carries the names of his surviving siblings, Reg, Daphne, Mac, Audrey Laurel Betty and Beryl. (33-year-old Laurel, who married Frank Woodforde, died in November ’56, so is not named).
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion with information provided by Jack’s grand-daughter Sue Jacobs plus local residents Roxanne Doran from the Ritz Café and Eric Kotz.