GRIGGS, Wilfred Heirn
| Other Name: | GRIGGS, Wilfred Hern - WW2 Records |
|---|---|
| Service Numbers: | 2178, V389231 |
| Enlisted: | 1 October 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 23rd (NSW) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) |
| Born: | Allambee, Victoria, Australia, 17 March 1895 |
| Home Town: | Leongatha, South Gippsland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia, 13 August 1979, aged 84 years |
| Cemetery: |
Leongatha Cemetery Lawn I 025 |
| Memorials: | Hallston and District WW1 Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2178, 4th Light Horse Regiment, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 2178, 4th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Katuna embarkation_ship_number: A13 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 2178, 4th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Katuna, Melbourne |
World War 2 Service
| 23 May 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, V389231, 23rd (NSW) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), Leongatha, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Oct 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, V389231, 23rd (NSW) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Wilfred Hern Griggs Reg. No. 2178 born 1895 was the second son of John William Griggs, Isaac Griggs being his grandfather. Isaac Griggs a publican and businessman with significant assets was one of the first settlers in the Allambee District, taking up Lots 44 and 45 in 1878. His son John William Griggs born 1862 from his marriage to his first wife Elizabeth Hern, took up Lot 43 Montarioni (on the Grand Ridge Road opposite the Pearce residence) and Brothers in Law William and Charles Walford Lots 42 and 47 respectively. John married Charlotte Adams a teacher at the Hallston School on 20th December 1890.
Wilf enlisted on 1st October 1915 aged 20 with his parents’ consent. His occupation was listed as Farmer. He was described as 5’9”, dark complexion with brown eyes and hair. His initial training was at 22nd Depot Battalion Royal Park before going to Seymour to the 4th Light Horse, 15th Reinforcements.
he unit embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A13 Katuna on 9th March 1916 arriving in Egypt in April 1916. He embarked Alexandria 28th May 1916 but became unwell with pneumonia and was admitted to Delhi Hospital Tidworth (England) 17th June. In October 1916 he was Taken on Strength 13th Battalion in Etaples France. On 25th November he was transferred to the 2nd Anzac Mounted Regiment. During his service in France he was detached for service with a number of units including the New Zealand Division in April 2017, Salvage Party 25th Division in June 1917, Prisoners Escort Party 2nd Anzacs in August 1917 and Area Commandant Service November 1917. In April 1918 he was transferred to the 49th Division. 4th May he was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the hand and admitted to Field Hospital. In August 1918 he was awarded the Military Field Medal and 28th September promoted to Lance Corporal. In December 1918 was transferred to the 13th Light Horse Regiment. Wilf embarked on the H.T. Karmala for return to Australia 1st July 1919 disembarking 17th August.
Courtesy of Avenel Jane
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