The AIF Project

Robert Cuthbert GRIEVE

Date of birth19 June 1889
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationWarehouseman
AddressBrighton, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Next of kinMother, Mrs Annie Grieve, 'Erne Lodge', 254 Bay Street, Brighton, Victoria
Enlistment date23 February 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name37th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/54/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A34 Persic on 3 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll37th Battalion
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: 37th Battalion
Promotion date: 17 January 1916

Lieutenant


Unit: 37th Battalion
Promotion date: 1 May 1916

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Victoria Cross


Conspicuous gallantry in action during attack on enemy's position at Messines on 7 June 1917.
Recommendation date: 16 June 1917

FateReturned to Australia 8 April 1918
Medals

Victoria Cross

'For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy's position, in the face of heavy artillery and machine gun fire and after all his officers had been wounded and his company had suffered very heavy casualties, Captain Grieve located two hostile machine guns which were holding up his advance. He then, single handed, under continuous fire from these two machine guns, succeeded in bombing and killing the two crews, re-organized the remnants of his company, and gained his original objective. Captain Grieve, by his utter disregard of danger, and his coolness in mastering a very difficult position, set a splendid example, and when he finally fell wounded the position had been secured and the few remaining enemy were in full flight.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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