Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Roberts Grosse was born at Robe in the South East of South Australia where his father had settled as a grocer following his immigaration from England. The family shop supplied Chinese miners as they made their way to the Victorian gold fields. His family later moved to Unley from where James worked for Mr Holden (later too become Holden Motor Cars) as a saddler. James enlisted from Unley.

James arrived at Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915 and then also served on the Western Front in France. During this time he served in Hygene units, burying the fallen. He suffered from severe myalgia and had to spend some time in a hospital in England.

He returned home in 1919 with his wife Gertrude and their son Hubert Roberts Grosse. By this time Mr Holden had begun manufacturing motor cars so had no work for James as a saddler. So he became a soldier settler (fruit grower) at Glossop in the Upper Murray (now the Riverland) region of South Australia. He experienced the many disasters associated with this developing industry including the demoralising effects of severe frost damage to his vine crops, the causes were later discovered and remedied. He specialised in the manufacture of dried vine fruit by installing a then industry leading wood fired fruit dehydrator. He also, together with government research officers, developed a superior dipping and drying process which he freely shared with his fellow returned growers.

James died on 15 Nov 1937 and was burried with his parents in the North Road Cemetary, North Adelaide leaving his wife and son to mourn his passing.

"GROSSE. — On the 15th of November, at Adelaide, James Roberts, the dearly beloved husband of Gertrude Grosse, of Glossop and loving father of Hugh and Peg, loved brother of Annie Grosse, of 25 Clifton street, Malvern, late of the A.I.F., aged 60 years."

"GROSSE.— THE FRIENDS of the late Mr. JAMES ROBERTS GROSSE of Glossop, late of the Army Service Corps 1st Divisional Train. A.I.F., are respectfully informed that his Funeral will leave the residence of his sister (Mrs. A. G. Grosse), 25 Cilfton-street, Malvern, on TUESDAY, at 11a.m. for the North road Cemetery." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 16 Nov 1937 (nla.gov.au)