Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leslie Louis Grosser (Les)
Leslie was the second of four sons of Maude and Edward Oscar Herman Grosser, arriving on the 2nd March 1919 at Bordertown in SA. He had three other brothers, Francis, Maurice and Hartley (Artley) Gordon. As a 10-year-old, Leslie entered a local Show competition, taking out the award for the best decorated bicycle, a portend for the sport that he would excel in. He was actively involved in many other local events including an aptly named Topsy-Turvy Ball, convened by Bordertown Girls' Sports Club, a very popular event in 1935 with over 200 locals involved and Les took out the award for the prettiest girl!
His father, Edward was an active exhibitor in the light horse section at shows throughout the Tatiara and Wimmera, carrying off many championships and prizes, according to the ‘Border Chronicle’. His mother, Maude, was also an able horsewoman frequently winning in categories such as lady’s hack and ‘best paced and educated horse on ground’. Not unexpectedly Les also was a proficient show horseman, winning in a school children’s hack section when he was eleven.
Edward was also a prime mover in establishing the Bordertown Cycle Club and constructing a local cycle track. Inevitably his sons would be successful in this sport. At the first Sports Meet held on the Bordertown Showgrounds, held by the Tatiara Cycle Club, Les rode an exceptional race to win the five-mile Handicap, made more challenging by a head wind on the outward leg but he finished with a flourishing sprint two hundred yards from the finishing post. In a subsequent race, he again rode well and annexed the half-mile sprint by four lengths, then coming second in the two-mile event, and first overall in the half mile event according to the ‘Bordertown Chronicle’ of October 1936. The following week, the two brothers competed in a 25-mile Road Race with both Frank and Les being in the leading group throughout the race. By 1937, Les’s younger brother, Maurice, was also competing and pushing Les in a six-mile race along the Naracoorte road with Les finishing fourth and Maurice two places behind. Their competitive performances were particularly evident in the final six-mile race conducted by Tatiara Cycling Club along the Mundalla Road in December of 1938. Conditions were extremely challenging with blasts of bitterly strong, cold wind, and uncomfortable showers. With the field bunched, the two brothers were involved in a collision, from which Maurice recovered the quickest to make up the time to finish second ahead of Les.
Les and Frank both played for the Bordertown Country cricket team as well as for Bordertown, with Les being a sound bowler but also a competent tennis player.
Les celebrated his 21st Birthday with a group of friends, enjoying dancing and games and receiving many gifts. But then war intervened. Older brother Frank enlisted on 29th June 1940 at Wayville and headed overseas in November of the same year as part of the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Les then followed, enlisting in July to become Private SX8151.
At their January meeting of the Tatiara Cycle Club in 1941, Vice President Edward Grosser was farewelled from the club in which all three sons, Frank, Les and Maurice were actively involved, each being presented with a small gift. (Edward and Maud were leaving to live in Moculta.) That same month the Bordertown Institute held a social in honour of now Private Les Grosser, and Drivers Roy Skinner and Robert Lindner. A short concert followed, with patriotic speeches where it was hoped that ‘it would not be long before people of Bordertown would be welcoming back these lads. They could be sure that Australia as a whole, and the Tatiara in particular, would back them up.’ On behalf of the citizens of the Tatiara the trio were wished the best of luck. Mrs Rowney, on behalf of the Voluntary Service Detachment, “wished the guests of the evening a safe journey and a happy voyage; and, although she knew that Mr and Mrs, Grosser were leaving the district, she hoped that Les and Frank would come to Bordertown for their welcome home.” In a prophetic comment from Mr Durbridge, representing the Tatiara Sub-branch of the R.S.S.A.I.L.A., he commented that “it took him back over 20 years ago, when the first boatload of soldiers came home. As in the last war, these boys were sacrificing the best years of their life, and people were apt to forget what had been done for them.”
A family friend of Les’ spoke of how he had “known Les Grosser since he, could crawl, and the other two boys had been working for him at different times. You found out when working with a person if there was anything wrong with him, and "take it from me," said Mr Butler, "these two boys are alright." He commented that “Two of the guests were ammunition drivers. Motor transports were an innovation. In the last war mules were used, and these had one advantage over the new method, in that, if a mule were killed, you could still eat him. He hoped the boys would have heaps of fun on the other side, and he also hoped the war wasn't over before they got there, knowing how keen they were to "have a go." He told them to bring home plenty of souvenirs, and said that in thirty years’ time they would be able to sit round the fire and think what fun it had been.” This was certainly not to be the case with Les. The ‘Border Chronicle’ reported that ‘In reply, Private Grosser said he hadn't joined the army to make speeches, and he was so moved by what had been said that he didn't know whether he was coming or going. But he did say thank you very heartily.’
Les was quick to acknowledge the Bordertown Farewell and Welcome Home Committee which had sent those serving abroad a much-appreciated Christmas parcel at the end of 1941. Through the local ‘Border Chronicle’ his thanks and best wishes were extended to ‘all friends and relatives in the Tatiara.’ By June ‘41 the ‘Border Chronicle’ reported that Les’ older brother, Frank was wounded in the leg and was seriously ill. Mixed messages were received stating that his condition was improving, but hopes were dashed when the family received notification that, after three months in hospital in the Middle East, their first-born son, Frank Grosser, died on August 7th 1941. At that stage, Les, was with the A.I.F. in Malaya.
Within nine months, however, Les was reported as missing in Malaya in May of 1942, becoming a Prisoner of War of the Japanese after the fall of Singapore. Scant information reached his family but in September of 1943 the ‘Border Chronicle’ reported that cards from prisoners of war in Japanese hands had reached Australia. There were brief messages from at least five Tatiara AIF boys, stating that they were safe, and generally in good health and spirits. These included Les and Driver Roy Skinner, who had been farewelled together. A second card arrived in December but dated February 21, 1943, and stated: "I am fit and in good spirits, hoping you are the same. Love to all relatives and friends." By the end of that month a series of short-wave radio messages from Singapore, given by a Japanese announcer, advised that Les was O.K. and concluded with best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Eighteen long months followed without news of Les. Then in May of ‘45 the Grossers received a letter from an unknown friend who heard a message over the air from Les. As near as it could be heard, it was: "Being treated well. Don't worry. Love to all at Angaston." The mention of Angaston was particularly cheering to Mr and Mrs Grosser, as it indicates that at least some of their letters had reached Les.’ A further message was heard from Les by a Sydney listener. That also mentioned two other locals, Wishart and Anderson as also ‘being well’. With hindsight it may well have meant ‘still alive’.
By September a further letter arrived stating that Les was in good health and was improving every day. He commented that "he had an appetite like an elephant" and hoped to be home soon, sending his best regards to all relatives and friends. His parents also received a telegraph from the Minister for the Army advising that Les had embarked per the Manunda for Labuan (Borneo) on September 13. He was one of 40 South Australians whose names were published in the Adelaide ‘News’ of the 15th November 1945. Neither accurately reported the conditions under which Les had survived or his own physical condition. His father wrote to the ‘Chronicle’ expressing “the sincere hope that news would soon come to hand of the other Tatiara boys who were prisoners in Japanese hands, and that they will be fit and well. These hopes are fervently shared by all Tatiara folk.”
With the war over, Les was able to finally return home on the Adelaide express with other repatriated Prisoners of War from Changi camp, Singapore. The ‘Border Chronicle’ reported that “He looked well and said he felt "as fit as a fiddle". He was malnourished and extremely weak but so fortunate to have survived the cruel, inhumane conditions of the Thai Railway construction where he was treated as a slave by the Japanese. He was extremely fortunate to survive, with his weight plummeting to 5 stone (31.8 Kg) by the time he was rescued. It is possible the fitness and discipline shown in competitive sport may have helped sustain him.
Les was singled out for a special welcome and given a rousing reception at the Tatiara Digger’s Armistice Day Reunion in November of ’45, where a sumptuous feast ladened the tables. Similarly, the Bordertown Welcome Home Committee treated the returned men, and Les in particular, with a heartfelt celebration and pride. Flags and flowers decorated the stage with songs and speeches of best wishes and grateful thanks. Again, Les was singled out by the Red Cross Branch, as prisoners of war were their special care and concern, for the privations and suffering he had endured "for us". Les was also presented with an R.S.L. membership badge. The support of the locals was summarised in the comment “Now the time had come to honour the pledges made then, and to see that the men and women of the Services were repatriated on a liberal scale. This was as much the responsibility of the people as of governments, and he hoped the people as a whole would realise this and do all in their power to assist in making this country happy and prosperous—a country worthy of the sacrifice of the men who went away to fight for its preservation, and ours.”
With peace returning both of Les’ younger brothers, Artley and Maurice had married, Maurice in February of ‘45. Les’ younger brother, Artley also presented Les with a new title of ‘uncle’ following the arrival of a son.
By February of ’46 Les resumed his post-war occupation as a taxi-driver in Adelaide, a far cry from his pre-war athletic bike riding feats. Five months later, the ‘Border Chronicle’ joyously reported Les’s engagement to Roma Dawn Bevan of Clarence Park. The young couple married in the Pirie Street Methodist Church on April 19th 1947. Their first daughter, Heather Dawn arrived in July of ’48 and a son, John Bevan, in May of ’51.
Throughout the war, the Grosser family continued to remember their first son, Frank, killed at Tobruk: Border Chronicle Friday 7 August 1942, Grosser; In loving memory of L/Cpl F. E. S. Grosser, 2/48th Btn, who died of wounds at Tobruk, August 7th, 1941. Only a heart's sad longing And a sigh for a face unseen, But a constant thought that God alone Knows best what might have been. We always remember you smiling, The way you used to do, And we have tried to keep smiling The way you would want us to. A year passed by but memories stay. As dear and near as yesterday. -—Ever remembered, by his loving mother, father, and brothers, Moculta.
Back in Australia, Les continued to remember his older brother: Advertiser Monday 7 August 1950, GROSSER. — Loving memories of dear Frank, died at Tobruk, August 7, 1941. A loving smile, a happy face, A broken link we cannot replace. — Ever remembered by mum, and brothers.
GROSSER. — In loving memory of my brother Frank, died of wounds at Tobruk. August 7. 1941. Ever remembered by Les.
They had shared much despite being on different continents.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133 2/48th Battalion.