The AIF Project

Reinhardt Hermann GROHS

Regimental number5984
Place of birthNatimuk, Victoria
ReligionLutheran
OccupationOrchardist
AddressNatimuk, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinMother, Mrs Louisa Grohs, Natimuk, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date17 August 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll25 August 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name23rd Battalion, 16th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/40/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 2 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll23rd Battalion
FateKilled in Action 4 July 1918
Age at death from cemetery records24
Place of burialCrucifix Corner Cemetery (Plot III, Row B, Grave No. 15), Villers-Bretonneux, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
99
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Commemorated in Natimuk Cemetery, Victoria. Parents: Friedrich Herman (d. 27 March 1910; bu. Natimuk Cemetery) and Bertha Louisa (nee VOLLMER) (d. 18 July 1928) GROHS, Natimuk, Victoria
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 2 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 16 November 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France from 6th Training Bn, Larkhill, 19 April 1917; taken on strength, 23rd Bn, in the field, 27 April 1917.

On leave to England, 26 February 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 15 March 1918.

Killed in action, 4 July 1918.

Statement, Red Cross File No 1221009F, 1939 Sergeant F.B. HEINZE DCM, D company, 23rd Bn (patient, 3rd Australian auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England), 18 November 1918: 'He was a Lance corporal in D. Coy. and was No. 1 on Machine Gun. He was killed in front of Villers Bretonneux by shell at 4 A.M. and death was instantaneous. It was at the beginning of the Hopover and he was lying [sic] on tape when shell landed, killed him and wounded Corporal Leviston in the jaw ... We took our objectives and all the dead were taken back to the Dressing Station; he would be buried somewhere in the vicinity of villers Bretonneux. I was in charge of Gun and got to know him well. He was a good footballer and one of the most popular men in the Coy.'

Second statement, 4464 Sergeant H. BINDOCK, D Company, 23rd Bn, 21 November 1918: 'I saw him killed instantly by a shell in the Hop-ver at Villers Bretonneux, about 3.30 A.M. He was knocked as soon as he left the trench. The S/Bs took the body back, but as I was wounded soon after I do not know anything of his Burial. I knew him well in the Bn. [H] was a fine fellow, liked by all, used to play Back in the Bn. Football team and was a great Athlete.'

Third statement, 5854 Pte D.G. McDONALD, D Company, 23rd Bn, 27 November 1918: 'I saw him immediately after he was killed by shell on the tape at Villers Bretonneux on the 4th July 1918. I have sent a photo of his grave to his Mother ho lives at Natimuk, Victoria. It is in the open near Villers Bretonneux along with 5 others from the same Battn.

Fourth statement, 6371 Pte J. MURPHY, D Company, 23rd Bn, 28 November 1918: 'I knew him well. he was in my Company. He came from Victoria, and was medium height, and thickset, about 21 or 22, was a good footballer. About the 4th July we were at Villers Bretonneux holding the line. About 3.30 a.m. we attacked. Just as we started Grohs was killed by a piece of shell. He was next to me. The body was taken back for burial, but I don't know exactly where.'

Fifth statement, 5940 Pte A.B. THOMSON, D Company (Stretcher Bearer), 23rd Bn, 12 December 1918: 'I saw Tommy Grohs ... instantly killed by shell on the tape just before the hop-over near Villers Bretonneux in the Hamel Stunt about 3.15 a.m. I was Stretcher Bearing and was just behind him. That night he was buried about 100 yards from where he was killed. A cross was erected. He was hit just behind the shoulder and killed instantly.'

Sixth statement, 5608 Pte T.A. HEARD, 23rd Bn, 23 May 1919: 'Casualty was in Front Line at Hamel. We were all lining up in a crop ready to advance when a H.E. Shell landed amongst us, a piece entered casualty's head killing him instantly. I was about 20 yards away at the time and saw his body lying in the Crop shortly afterwards. I was wounded the same night and I do not know where casualty is buried.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsDeclaration by Attesting Officer on Attestation Form: 'I have examined his naturalization papers and am of opinion they are correct.'
SourcesNAA: B2455, GROHS Reinhardt Hermann
Red Cross File No 1221009F

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