William James Grant

Private

Conflict:

WW2

Additional Information:

Son of William and Helen Grant, of Wellington City, New Zealand.

References:

CWGC

BDM Online

Relatives Who Are Also Casualties:

Armand Andrew John Grant, Brother, Killed in action 17/10/1944

NZ WAR GRAVES

CONTRIBUTED

Public Contributions:

Submitted by: Stephen Jones

Relationship to casualty: 1st Cousin x1 removed

William (Bill) James Grant, 280263, 22 Motor Battalion, 2 NZEF Middle East & Italy William was the son of William Grant and Helen Watson of Wellington, New Zealand. They had three boys, William ...in 1920, Armand in 1921 and Graham in 1931. Bill and Armand (known as Pete) were of a similar age and grew up together. Graham, being a lot younger than his brothers, was less involved in their activities. The family lived in Hopper Street and the boys went to school at Mt Cook. They played rugby in the winter and softball in the summer for the Athletic Clubs. They were a popular pair who enjoyed parties and dancing with their girl friends. Bill worked for Bonds Hosiery in Tasman Street for a few years before the war, one of the many who sent newsletters to all their staff who enlisted for overseas. Graham looked up to his big brothers, they sent him letters and gifts from Egypt that he kept for many years. Bill was on the ballot list in 1941 to begin army training in New Zealand. Soon after he had a large party for his twenty-first birthday. His brother Pete was demoted from Lance Corporal for absconding from camp to attend. Bill left Wellington on HMT Aquitania on 11 December 1942 as part of the 8th Reinforcements. Sailing via Fremantle and Aden, they arrived in Port Tewfik, in Egypt on 5 Jan 1943. Holidaying in Egypt was interrupted at times by army training at Maadi. The North African campaign ended in May 1943 and preparations began for landings in Italy. Bill was placed with the 22 Motor Battalion. Bloodied in Greece and Cyprus, the battalion was being reformed into a mobile unit, self-supporting and with a wide range of equipment and weapons. The battalion, attached to 4 Armoured Brigade, could be rapidly deployed in a defence or attack role as needed. Bill's brother Pete arrived in Maadi in June 1943 as part of the 9th Reinforcements for 22 Battalion. They were given leave in Palestine before the next phase began. The battalion left Alexandria on 19 October 1943 for the port of Taranto, Italy. They motored north from the coast to join the 8th Army who were preparing to cross the Sangro River. The crossing was delayed for a week due to widespread flooding. The attack got underway on the night of 26-27 November with a massive barrage as the British forces began to advance. 22 Battalion's turn came on 30 November, the columns of tanks, trucks and artillery thundered across the long TIKI bailey bridge and moved towards the Barone hills. Encountering mines, booby traps and shelling they advanced towards Orsogna. By 3 December they had reached a small village called Salarola by an important cross-roads leading to Orsogna and Guardiagrele. Intense fighting took place over the next few days. Tank battles and infantry attacks occurred under almost constant shelling. Bill Grant was one of the many casualties. He was killed on 5 December 1943. The battalion held their ground until 6 December when they were relieved by a British regiment. William James Grant was laid to rest on 24 July 1944 in the Sangro River Military Cemetery. His brother Pete and 22 Battalion carried on with the fight through Italy before he too was killed in October 1944. [Record since amended - NZWGT] Read More

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Casualty

Service Number:

280263

Name:

William James Grant

Rank:

Private

Date of Birth:

10 July 1920

Place of Birth:

Wellington, New Zealand

Next of Kin:

Mr W Grant (father), 59 Hopper Street, Wellington

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Locality on Enlistment:

59 Hopper Street, Wellington

Marital Status:

Single

Unit:

New Zealand Infantry, 22 (Motor) Battalion

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Date of Death:

05 December 1943

Day of Death:

Sunday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW2

Embarkation Details

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Sangro River War Cemetery

Cemetery Reference:

IX. C. 25.

Cemetery Location:

Italy