The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Mother, F. Leah Grant, wrote to Senator George Pearce, Minister for Defence, 6 September 1915: 'My son ... has enlisted without my consent. I and his Step-father do not wish him to go. He is at present at Albert Park Camp, B Company.' OC, 7th Training Bn, Albert Park, advised HQ District Camp Staff, 14 September 1915: 'His mother visited this Camp on several occasions and does not appear a suitable person to have charge of him.' Camp Staff replied to mother, 15 September 1915: '... regarding the discharge of your son, I have received a written statement from him to the effect that for the last 12 years he has lived with his Grandmother and Aunt and has been attended to with all kindness and during the same period he has been entirely ignored by you nor has he received any money towards his support. As he has also received his Grandmother's consent to his enlistment, under the circumstances his discharge is not approved.'

Mother replied, 17 September 1915: 'I beg to state Mrs Lapthorne is not the boy's guardian. I placed the boy with my Father, Edward Round Esq ... Mrs Lapthorne took the boy from my Father's house without my knowledge. I did not know he was with her untill (sic) 3 months after when I came down from Gippsland & to save friction with the family I did not take him away. When I heard he was there I went to see him. I was very badly received ... '

Embarked Melbourne, 9 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 7 December 1915.

Admitted to 8th Field Ambulance, Serapeum, 20 January 1916 (neurasthenia); discharged to duty, 23 January 1916.

Admitted to 4th Field Ambulance, Ismalia, 2 April 1916 (bad leg and feet); transferred to Rest Camp, Ismalia, 3 April 1916.

Found guilty, 21 May 1916, of being absent without leave, 17 to 18 May 1916: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2 and forfeited 2 days' pay.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 25 June 1916.

Admitted to Anzac Corps Rest Station, 19 January 1917 (burns, right leg); discharged to duty, 24 January 1917; rejoined unit, 26 January 1917.

Admitted to 45th Casualty Clearing Station, 2 February 1917 (pleurisy); transferred to 6th General Hospital, Rouen, 3 February 1917; to England, 23 February 1917, and admitted to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Brighton. Transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 8 March 1917; discharged on furlough, 12-27 March 1917.

Found guilty, 16 March 1917, of failing to salute an officer of HM Forces: awarded 2 days' Field Punishment No 2 and fined 10/-.

Marched in to Training Bn, Fovant, from No 1 Command Depot, 18 May 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 2 November 1917; rejoined Bn, 14 November 1917.

Found guilty, 11 August 1918, of being absent without leave from 3 to 4 August 1918: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2 and forfeited 1 day's pay.

On leave, 24 November-8 December 1918.

Admitted to 2nd Scottish General Hospital, Edinburgh, 6 December 1918 (influenza); transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital Harefield, 17 December 1918; granted balance of leave, 20 December 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Armagh', 5 April 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 18 May 1919; discharged, Melbourne (medically unfit): influenza), 10 July 1919.