Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of James John and Sarah McGrath

Husband of Madge MCGRATH
of Egerton St, Lidcombe

Previous Military Service: 2 years R.A.F. Arty.
6 years R.A.G.
6 years Instructional Staff

Killed at the Front.
Mrs. McGrath, of 'Killarney,' Egerton-street, Lidcombe, who resides in her own home, a beautiful villa residence away on the high land between the Sydney-road and the Parramatta River, received the sad news of her gallant husband 's death at tho front on Saturday evening. As Staff-sergeant-major James John McGrath before he left for the war he was well known in most of the towns between Sydney and Parramatta. As a military officer he was exceedingly popular, not only with those under his charge, but with the general public as well. He was drill instructor to tho cadets in the area between Homebush and Auburn, and like an old war horse, which scents the battle from afar, he was restless until he received permission to quit his job and enter the fray. He has been a soldier during tho greater part of his life, and when the South African war broke out he was amongst the first lot of Australian troops to leave for that country. He was 46 years of age, and leaves a widow but no family. He was born in Ireland and came out to this country when a young man, after having matriculated at Trinity College, Dublin. He came with a band of Christian Brothers, his object being to become a priest. After settling in Sydney his mind underwent a change in regard to the career he had mapped out for himself, and he left the Christian Brothers and joined tho Permanent Artillery at Victoria Barracks. When he had served his time (seven years) in that sphere) he went into private life for a period. Meanwhile the Boer War broke out and he enlisted. Mrs. McGrath went to South Africa with her sister and brother-in-law, and her husband followed. Her brother-in-law held a high official position in Grahamstown, and Mrs. McGrath and sister had their  residence there. They saw much of the war and its effects in that district. Our hero was in several engagements and came through them all right. On one occasion, how ever, he had the bad luck to be in a railway train which was wrecked by the Boers, and in an engagement that followed was shot through the hand. He was invalided home to Australia, where he remained about six months and then returned to South Africa with the intention of re-joining his regiment. On the day, howover, that he landed at Durban peace was declared. After returning again to Australia ho received an appointment as warder at Bathurst Gaol, and whilst there he was one of the number of returned soldiers from South  Africa who paraded before the late Lord Kitchener on the occasion of his visit to this country. It should be mentioned that our soldier hero, in recognition for meritorious service in the Boer War, was decorated with the Queen's medal and two bars. Having a desire for a military career, he left Bathurst and went into a military training school at Albury, where he was successful with his studies. He returned to Bathurst, but was only there three or, four months when he was appointed drill instructor to the Homebush Auburn area, where he remained for four years until he felt tho necessity of obey ing the Empire's call. He left for the front with the 36th Battalion as 2nd lieutenant, in February, 1916. He was kept in England six months before going over to France. The last letter received from him was about the end of January, which was written in England early in December. He stated therin that he was just leaving England for France and was feel ing fit and ready for the fray. Although he was not an active participant in the war for long, being killed in action on 21st January, his service must have been of a meritorious character, as he was raised to the position of 1st lieutenant on the field. The death of so brave a soldier will be mourned by many.