Regimental number | 5984 |
Place of birth | Natimuk, Victoria |
Religion | Lutheran |
Occupation | Orchardist |
Address | Natimuk, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 23 |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Louisa Grohs, Natimuk, Victoria |
Previous military service | Nil |
Enlistment date | |
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 23rd Battalion, 16th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/40/4 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 23rd Battalion |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Age at death from cemetery records | 24 |
Place of burial | Crucifix 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 details | Declaration by Attesting Officer on Attestation Form: 'I have examined his naturalization papers and am of opinion they are correct.' |
Sources | NAA: B2455, GROHS Reinhardt Hermann
Red Cross File No 1221009F |