GRANT, John

John Grant was born in Sale, Victoria in 1895 to William and Mary Grant (nee Keating). His father was born in Scotland in 1862 and mother in Waterford, Ireland. They married in 1894 at Sacre Coeur, Kew. JOhn was the eldest born of 5 children (3 brothers and 1 sister). He enlisted at the same time as his brother William in July, 1915. His occupation was a Porter with the railways.

Together with his brother they embarked on the RMS Osterley from Adelaide on 29 September for Cairo. He was taken on strength to join the 10th Reinforcements for the 8th Infantry Battalion (same as brohter). In March 1917, John embarked from Alexandria with the BEF headed for Marseilles then the Western Front. On 26 July, 1916 both he and his brother were wounded in action during the first major action at the Western Front at Poiziers, Somme Valley. Following admission to the No. 1 Station Hospital, Rouen with gunshot wounds to the right leg and left foot, both J0hn and William were transferred to England on the HS Western Australia and admitted to the Stoke-on-Trent War Hospital.

John returned to join his Battation at Etaples on 24 January, 1917. In May,1917 he was wounded again in action, this time with severe wounds to the right arm and knee. Initially he was sent to the 3rd Field Ambulance, then 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, then evacuated to England from Boulogne to the Kitchener Military Hospital in Brighton where he remained for 3 months. On 21 August, 1917 he rejoined his Battalion in France. On 29 March, 1918 he was wounded in action on the 3rd occassion, this time with gunshot wounds to the scalp and a fractured skull. Initially he was admitted to the 55th General Hospital in France before being evacuated to England where he was hospitalised at the Shorncliffe Hosptal, Shorncliffe for an extended period. Following these significant injuries, John was considered unfit for further service adn returned to Australia in August 1918. His service record indicates he applied and received repatriation benefits following the multiple injuries received durng his service.

After returning to Australia, John married Myrtle Emma Hyndman Officer and they had a son and daughter. Electoral roles show John and Myrtle living at 133 Gladstone Avenue, Northcote during the 1930's and 40's, John working as a railway employee. John passed away on 10 April, 1953. Myrtle passed away in 1955.