John Leonard Groat Framed Memorial Scroll

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c. 1920

Overview

Framed Memorial Scroll issued to the next-of-kin of Lance Corporal John Leonard (Len) Groat.
The outside of the frame is timber. There is a decorative mat in dark brown surroundng the central cream coloured scroll which bears the dedication to L. Cpl. Groat.

Historical information

This commemorative scroll would have been issued to the family of Len Groat in addition to the bronze memorial plaque after his death.

John Leonard Groat was born in Ballarat, Victoria. He had served in the Citizen Military Forces, Ballarat, Victoria prior to enlisting for WWI, aged 18 years, on 21 October 1915.
He joined Field Ambulance 10 and his service number was 12458.
He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A54 Runic on 20 June 1916.
He was killed in action at Zonnebeke on 16 October 1917, aged 20.
He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

He was awarded the Military Medal posthumously on 20 December 1917 for action that took place on 8 June 1917.

'On 8th June, 1917, near PLOEGSTEERT WOOD displayed conpicuous gallantry as one of a party of stretcher bearers getting through the barrage to the Advanced Aid Post SCHNITZEL FARM, where he assisted in carrying two stretcher cases to an intermediate Aid Post. He returned and assisted a Medical Officer in dressing cases and went forward beyond a Regimental Aid Post and brought in a wounded man under heavy fire. When owing to heavy shell fire it became necessary to shift the R.A.P. Lance Corporal GROAT assisted in carrying Medical Stores to the new R.A.P. and was the last man to leave the abandoned R.A.P. On the night 26th/27th February, during a raid near HOUPLIN Lance Corporal GROAT also did good service as a runner, several times passing through heavy shell fire with messages.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 218
Date: 20 December 1917

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00010

Item type

Material

Width

265 mm

Height or length

395 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Scroll reads:

"He whom this scroll commemorates
was numbered among those who,
at the call of King and Country, left all
that was dear to them, endured hardness,
faced danger, and finally passed out of
the sight of men by the path of duty
and self-sacrifice, giving up their own
lives that others might live in freedom.
Let those that come after see to it
that his name be not forgotten.

L/Cpl. John Leonard Groat, M.M.
10 Fld. Amb. A.I.F."

On reverse of frame, there are two sections of text attached.

The first contains transcriptions of two newspaper articles:

"BALLARAT COURIER Wed. 31/10/1917

L.-Cpl. J.L. GROAT
Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Groat, of 419 Amstrong
street south, have been notified by Rev.
J. Snell that their son, L.-Cpl. J.L. Groat
was killed in action on the 16th of October"

"MELBOURNE ARGUS 16/10/25

GROAT. - In loving memory of our dear
Len, L.-Cpl. J.L. Groat - (M.M.), 10th Field
Ambulance, killed in action at Zonnebeke, on
October 16, 1917. (Inserted by mother, sisters
and brothers)."

The second is a photocopy from a Red Cross file for an Australian soldier named Mudie.

"10th Fld. Amb. A.A.M.C. NO ENQUIRY 12458 Groat J.L. K.I.A. 16.10.17

Mudie was killed outright by a shell at Zonnebecke. He was carry-
ing a stretcher at the time and Groat, 10th Fld. Amb. also killed
at the same time. They were making a cross for Mudie's grave. I
saw this but cannot say where either are buried.

Witness:-
A. Stuchberry 15871
10th Fld. Amb.
Hut Westham.

W.A. Rand
London 1.1.18 Note: See report L.C. Mudie 12349

K.I.A. 16.Oct 1917
Awarded Military Medal"

Keywords

Australian Imperial Force

Place made

United Kingdom

Year