The AIF Project

Herbert Cecil GRASS

Regimental number2471
Place of birthLara Lake, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation33
Height5' 11"
Weight150 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Emma Grass, Lara Lake, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date17 July 1915
Place of enlistmentGeelong, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name29th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/46/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on 14 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll46th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 12 December 1918
Discharge date11 March 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Transferred to 46th Bn, 20 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 2 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 8 June 1916.

Found guilty, 25 September 1916, of being unshaven on parade: fined 1 day's pay.

Admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance, 18 November 1916 (trench feet); transferred to 10th General Hospital, Rouen, 5 December 1916; to England, 8 December 1916, and admitted same day to Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol; transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 20 February 1917; discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 23 February 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 23 July 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 12 August 1917.

Found guilty, 7 September 1917, of being absent without leave from 0900, 26 August, until surrendering himself at Guard Room, Bailleul, 1345, 31 August 1917: awarded 28 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeiture of a total of 34 days' pay.

Wounded in action, 25 September 1917 (multiple contusions: buried; severe); admitted same day to 6th Australian Field Ambulance; transferred to 16th General Hospital, Le Treport, 26 September 1917; to England, 23 October 1917, and admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, 24 October 1917; discharged from hospital, 21 November 1917; marched in to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 22 November 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 21 February 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 26 February 1918.

Admitted to 4th Australian Field Ambulance, 8 July 1918; transferred to 47th Casualty Clearing Station, 10 July 1918 (influenza); transferred to Australian Corps Depot, 12 July 1918, and then, same day, to 20th Casualty Clearing Station; discharged to duty, 25 July 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 28 July 1918.

Admitted to 55th Casualty Clearing Station, 16 August 1918; transferred to Ambulance Train, 16 August 1918, and admitted to 5th General Hospital, Rouen, 17 August 1918 (influenza); transferred to England, 20 August 1918, and admitted to Northampton War Hospital, Duston, 21 August 1918; discharged on furlough, 12 November 1918, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 26 November 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Nestor', 12 December 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 1 February 1919; discharged, Melbourne, 11 March 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsMother's name incorrectly recorded on Embarkation Roll as Emana GRASS.
SourcesNAA: B2455, GRASS Herbert Cecil

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