John Francis GRABHAM

Regimental number3800
Place of birthKelmscott, Western Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarm hand
AddressKelmscott, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinFather, I E Grabham, Rolaystane via Kelmscott, Western Australia
Enlistment date30 August 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll23 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name11th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/28/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board RMS Mongolia on 22 November 1915
Regimental number from Nominal Roll3800A
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll51st Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 13 June 1917

FateDied of disease 15 November 1918
Age at death from cemetery records21
Place of burialVillers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery (Plot XII, Row AA, Grave No. 7), Fouilloy, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
152
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: James and Harriet GRABHAM, 3rd Road, Armadale, Western Australia
Medals

Military Medal

'From 5th to 12th June 1917 near MESSINES these N.C.O.s and men [6704 W. BERRY, 4315 F. McKENZIE, 4838 J.J. O'BRIEN, 8460 F.E. NELSON, 6317 P.S. CHARLWOOD, 2085 A.W. SIMMONS, 2206 W.W. ARBERY, 3250 K.C. BASSETT, 3800 J.F. GRABHAM] were employed with the Divisional Pack Transport Troop which was used nightly in taking up supplies, water and ammunition to the various Battalion Headquarters. The various convoys came nightly under heavy shell and machine gun fire and their work was carried out in the dark and under trying conditions. In some cases the supplies were taken up to within a few hundred yards from Front Line. These N.C.O.s and men have been selected in order of merit out of the [no. indecipherable] N.C.O.. and men employed as having set an example of coolness under fire and determination in carrying out their duties.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1918