Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Francis Edward Seaman Grosser
The first-born son of Maude and Edward Oscar Herman Grosser, Francis Edward Seaman arrived on the 7th May 1916 at Serviceton in Victoria. He had three other brothers, Leslie, Maurice and Hartley. A capable student, Frank was one of 20 at the Bordertown Higher Primary School who successfully gained their Qualifying Certificates in 1930. Typically, being from a country town, Frank was a successful all-round sportsman, a footballer and Captain of the Bordertown B Grade team, also acting as secretary for the club and later played for Murray Bridge. In his role as Captain of Bordertown, Frank invariably displayed fine sportsmanship both on and off the field, congratulating his opponents for their skills and also thanking the hidden workers, the ladies who provided the afternoon teas. In summer he played cricket, excelling as a bowler and also was a proficient show horseman, not unsurprising as his father was an active exhibitor in the light horse section at shows throughout the Tatiara and Wimmera, and carried off many championships and prizes, according to the Border Chronicle. His mother, Maude, was also an able horsewoman. Additionally, Frank was also a talented bike rider, (as was his younger brother, Les) competing in a ten-mile road race in 1936 from Mundulla to the Tatiara Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital at Bordertown where he dead heated for second place.
Post school, Frank joined his father in becoming a butcher in Bordertown, where the family also owned a bakery. A big crowd gathered to celebrate his coming of age in 1937 with visitors from his birth pace at Serviceton and also from Lillimur. Reflective of the time, there was community singing, solo performances, card playing and dancing before Frank was presented with the traditional Gold Key from his parents, followed by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." Frank became engaged to Mary Hall, also of Bordertown, planning to marry in the coming Easter.
However, War intervened with Frank answering the call for volunteers, enlisting on 29th June 1940 at Wayville and heading overseas in November of the same year as part of the newly formed 2/48th Battalion that was to become one of the most highly decorated but sadly also highly decimated Battalions. It was no surprise that Frank became an extremely competent machine gunner, training conscientiously to score 97 out of a possible 100 points.
The Border Chronicle in May 1941, published letter Frank wrote to his fiancée, Mary Hall giving enthusiastic praise to the Comforts Fund. He wrote: "The Comforts Fund is still doing a fine job. Yesterday we were given tinned sausages, fruit, milk, cake (a little), and tobacco. If I never received any more from them, I would still say lots for the wonderful work they have done." This letter was written by L/Cpl Grosser before he was wounded, when he was stationed at Tobruk, and, although relating some of the exigencies of desert warfare, and mentioning the hasty abandonment of Derna, he was optimistic concerning the British position in Africa. At the time of writing Frank was in the front lines at Tobruk. He explained: "Tomorrow night we are being relieved by another battalion, and we are going back several miles for a spell—not that we need it though. We are very reluctant to go, as it won't be nearly so exciting back there as it is in the front lines. I. suppose it will do us good to have a few nights of unbroken rest, though. Doing three, two-hour shifts every night has been a bit of a strain at times, so here’s hoping for a decent sleep soon. Anyhow, I am proud to be able to tell you that we have kept up the reputation of the old fighting, "four dozen." To date we are the only South Australians to have done, any scrapping."
With regard to the occupation of Derna, where L/Cpl Grosser was stationed before Tobruk, Frank explained: "We entered Derna peacefully enough, but went out in a hurry, with the Huns on our heels. It would have been suicide to stop, as they were in tanks and armoured cars and we were only a handful, with practically nothing but rifles to fight with, and they are no good against tanks as the bullets just bounce off. Tommies had been evacuating Benghazi and passing through the place where we were for two or three days, and when we left at one o'clock one morning, there was hardly anyone between the Huns, who were six or eight miles away, and ourselves. Getting pulled out of bed at that hour was ''not so good, seeing we were told to start walking until our lorries came along. After humping our gear for a few miles, we heard a lorry coming behind us, so stopped him and about thirty of us piled on until we met our lorries coming for us. At day-break some of the Fritz tanks had cut across country and got in front of our convoy, so we had to get out and 'have a go.' Our Sarg-Major was the only casualty. The last we heard of him he was doing alright. We made a dash from that place at dusk, and were kept on the run until we reached Tobruk."
Frank rose to the rank of Lance Corporal before his family, who had moved to Moculta, had an anxious wait having received the news that as reported in the Border Chronicle of June ‘41, Frank was “wounded in the leg and was seriously ill, but the nature of the illness was not stated. This week a letter has been received from the Hospital in which L/Cpl Grosser is an-inmate, stating that he is progressing favourably, but that it will be a long time before he is on his feet j again. Following on this letter, Mr and Mrs Grosser have received a cable from the authorities advising that his condition is improving. From letters received by his fiancé (Miss Mary Hall), and from other Tatiara boys who were in the Tobruk area, it is thought that Frank was wounded while in action with a Bren machine-gun unit in the outposts around Tobruk.” This occurred in action on May 3rd, 1941, just four days before Frank’s 25th birthday. Their next information on the 24th of that month was that that L/Cpl "Frank Grosser, who was on the dangerously ill list, was improving. Their hopes were dashed to finally receive notification that, after three months in hospital in the Middle East, their first-born son, Frank Grosser, died on August 7th in a hospital. At that stage, Frank’s brother, Les, was with the A.I.F. in Malaya.
Max Arnold, who served with Frank, wrote to his parents, describing Frank’s last days and praising Frank as a ‘fine chap’ while also expressing his ‘deepest sympathy in your great loss’. In a cruel twist of fate, Max later died in January of 1945.
Max gave the family more details about the events surrounding Frank’s injury and death. “When I learnt that Frank was in our hospital I visited him every chance that I got, and when I couldn’t get in to see him I made enquiries about him from the chap that helped nurse him. He received his wounds at Tobruk. Frank told me the story of their retreat from Derna to Tobruk, mentioning how one night his unit went out on patrol and was attacked by enemy tanks, ad had to fall back into the cover of our mine-fields. Frank was with three other chaps, two of whom were unfortunate enough to be wounded, and Frank and the other chap had to carry them in the best way they could, otherwise they would have had to lie out in the mine-field, probably until the next night.
It was three days later that Frank got knocked himself. He was in a shell-hole with two other chaps, and a shell landed right in the hole with them – they never had a chance. Frank received a compound fracture of the thigh, and a nasty wound in the back, which proved too much for him, although he put up a very game fight. The doctors, sisters and orderlies were wonderful, and never gave up hope as Frank was conscious right until the last, when he passed quietly. He was buried with military honours at the Kantara War Ceremony.”
The Moculta Community wrapped its collective arms around Frank’s family. A moving personal tribute was given at their social in November 1941 with the local paper, the Leader reporting that “the affection in which Frank and the Grosser family was held was indicated by receipt of 240 letters, telegrams and cards of condolence, whilst Miss Hall had received 135.” A minute’s silence followed, then the Ode was recited before the singing of ‘Lead Kindly Light’ to a harp accompaniment.
Within nine months, their second son, Leslie was reported as missing in Malaya in May of 1942, becoming a Prisoner of War of the Japanese after the fall of Singapore. He was extremely fortunate to survive working as a slave on the Siam Railway, with his weight plummeting to 5 stone (31.8 Kg) when he was rescued to eventually return to Australia at the conclusion of the war.
The Grosser and Hall families continued to remember Frank on the anniversary of his death.
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.
GROSSER. —In loving memory of my dearly-loved fiancé, L/Cpl Frank Grosser, 2nd AIF, who died of wounds received at Tobruk, August 7th, 1941; This is a day of remembrance; The day I shall never forget; Of the one I will always remember, The one I loved the best. —Inserted by Mary Hall, Bordertown.
GROSSER. —In memory of my dearly-loved friend, L/Cpl Frank Grosser, AIF, who died of wounds received at Tobruk, August 7th, 1941. The passing years will never change The thoughts of you so dear, Strong memories linger every day, Remembrance keeps you near. —Inserted by his friend Nance.
Advertiser Friday 7 August 1942, GROSSER. —Died of wounds at Tobruk on August 7. 1941. L.-Cpl F. E. S. Grosser. Only the 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.
GROSSER. —In fondest memory of my dearly loved fiancé, L/Cpl Frank Grosser, 2nd A.I.F., died of wounds received at Tobruk on August 7, 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. I will always remember you smiling. The way you used to do, And I have tried to keep smiling, The way you would want me to. — Inserted by Mary Hall, Bordertown, S. Aus.
Border Chronicle Friday 6 August 1943, GROSSER, L/Cpl—In loving memory of Frank, died of wounds abroad, August 7th, 1941. A silent thought brings many a tear. Of one I miss, and loved so dear. —Always remembered by his fiancée, Mary.
GROSSER, L/Cpl—In memory of Frank (2nd 48th Battalion), who died of wounds abroad, August 7th, 1941. While you lie in peaceful sleep, Your memory we will always keep. —Inserted by his friends, Mr and Mrs Hall and family, Bordertown.
GROSSER—In loving memory of our dear son and brother Frank, who passed away at Tobruk on August 7th. 1941. Resting where no shadows fall, In perfect peace he awaits us all. —Ever remembered by his mother, father, and brothers. Angaston.
Advertiser Saturday 7 August 1943, GROSSER. —Loving remembrance of Frank, died of wounds, Tobruk, August 7, 1941. Memories are treasures no one can steal; death leaves a heartache no one can heal. —Always remembered by parents, brothers, Angaston.
GROSSER, L/Cpl—In loving memory of Frank, died of wounds abroad, August 7, 1941. So dearly loved, so sadly missed. —Ever remembered by his fiancée, Mary.
Border Chronicle Friday 4 August 1944, GROSSER, L/Cpl—In loving memory of dear Frank, died of wounds Tobruk, August 7th, 1941. Time drifts on, but memories stay, As near and dear as yesterday. —Always remembered by Mary. GROSSER, L/Cpl—In loving memory of Frank, died of wounds Tobruk, August 7th, 1941. A leaf in the book of memories Is gently turned today. —Remembered by Mr and Mrs Hall and family.
Advertiser Tuesday 7 August 1945, GROSSER, L/Cpl—ln loving remembrance of dear Frank who died of wounds at Tobruk. August 7 1941. They say time will heal all sorrow, and help us to forget: but it’s far time has only proved how much miss you yet. —Always remembered by mother, father. Les (P.O.W). Maurice and Artley.
GROSSER. L/Cpl—ln loving memory of Frank, died of wounds received at Tobruk. August 7. 1941.—Ever remembered by Mary.
GROSSER. L/Cpl—ln fond memory of Frank, died of wounds received at Tobruk August 7 1941. —Always remembered by J. Hall and family.
Border Chronicle Thursday 8 August 1946, GROSSER. —In loving memory of dear Frank (2/48th Bat.), who died of wounds at Tobruk, on August 7, 1941. The waves of the ocean divide us, dear Frank, As you sleep in a soldier's grave; We remember you as a hero, And treasure the life you gave. —Remembered always by his parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law.
Advertiser Friday 9 August 1946, GROSSER. —In memory of L-Cpl Frank, died of wounds, Tobruk, August 7, 1941. —Always remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Hall and family.
Advertiser Wednesday 7 August 1946, GROSSER. —In loving memory of our dear Frank, who died of wounds at Tobruk, August 7, 1941. We think of you in silence, We often speak your name; But all we have to answer Is your photo in a frame. —Always remembered by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law.
Advertiser Thursday 7 August 1947, GROSSER. —A tribute of love and honor to the memory of our dear son and brother Frank, died of wounds August 7. 1941. Tobruk. His memory we will cherish through the passing years. Sadly missed by mother, father, brothers.
GROSSER. L-Cpl—ln memory of Frank, died or wounds Tobruk Aug. 7. 1941. —Always remembered by Mary.
GROSSER, L-Cpl—ln memory of Frank, died of wounds Tobruk Aug. 7. 1941. As you rest in peaceful sleep your memory we will always keep. —Ever remembered by Hall family.
Advertiser Saturday 7 August 1948, GROSSER. —In loving memory of a dear son and brother Frank, who died of wounds. Tobruk, August 7 1941. His memory is our dearest keepsake. Sadly missed by mother and brothers.
GROSSER L-Cpl—In fond memory or Frank, died of wounds, Tobruk, August 7. 1941. —Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Hall and family, Rosewater.
Advertiser Monday 8 August 1949, GROSSER. —In memory of Frank, died of wounds, Tobruk, August 7, 1941. —Always remembered by Mr. and Mrs. J. Hall and family. Rosewater.
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.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133 2/48th Battalion.