Henry James McGrath

Henry James McGrath (Service No 32) was born at Grenfell, NSW. Henry enlisted when he was 35 years old. He was single, listing his occupation as farmer, and was living at Wyreema, QLD. Henry's father, whom Henry listed as next-of-kin, lived at Merimbula on the NSW South Coast.

Henry had previously served as a Private (Service No 510), in the Boer War, with the 1st New South Wales Mounted Rifles. During this conflict Henry was invalided home, arriving back in Australia on 6 August 1900.

Henry's embarkation papers - Nominal Roll - show that he was assigned to the 2nd Light Horse Brigade as an Acting Sergeant Cook. The 2nd LHB embarked at Sydney on the Transport A34 Persic, on 21 December 1914.

Henry was admitted to hospital in Egypt on a number of occasions, including, in August 1917, the Citadel Military Hosptial, as well as the Heliopolis Military Hospital in Alexandria.

Henry's service included campaigns in Palestine and on the Gallipolli Peninsula.

Records show that Henry was with the 5th Light Horse Regiment in December 1917, and detached from this Regiment on 18 March 1916.

On 5 September 1917 Henry marched out of the 5th LHR to the Australia & New Zealand Military Division Headquarters.

Henry boarded the HT Somali in Suez on 25 December 1918 to return home, disembarking on the 8 February 1918.

He was discharged from the Army on 15 April 1919.

Henry was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914-1915 Star.

His name in listed on the ANZACS Honour Roll, Dalby, Qld and Grenfell, NSW.