| Accession Number | P08215.002 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1916 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 6205 Private (Pte) Walter McGrath, 25th Battalion, of Pomona, Qld. A farmer ...
Description
Studio portrait of 6205 Private (Pte) Walter McGrath, 25th Battalion, of Pomona, Qld. A farmer prior to enlisting in October 1916, Pte McGrath embarked from Brisbane with the 17th Reinforcements on board HMAT Marathon (A75) on 27 October 1916. Private McGrath arrived in England in January 1917 and shortly afterwards was admitted to hospital with influenza. After recovery and then further training, he arrived in France in June 1917 for service on the Western Front. In January 1918 he was ill with trench fever and relapsed several times until April 1918. He rejoined his unit in May 1918 but in August was found guilty of being absent without leave from 16 July 1918 until 29 July 1918. The penalty for this was the forfeit of 60 days pay. Private McGrath was killed in action by a shell explosion on 3 October 1918 during the assault on the Hindenburg line near Beaurevoir, France. He was 26 years of age. Pte McGrath was first cousin to Gunner James Clyde McGrath, 54th Artillery Battery, who was killed in action on 22 October 1918.