GRIESE, Ernest Edgar

Ernest was the son of George and Rachel Griese who were living at Nullamanna near Inverell when he was born in 1893.  At the age of twenty two, Ernest enlisted at Warialda where he was working as a Blacksmith.  With other district volunteers he joined the Second Contingent of The Kurrajongs from Inverell on their way to the Narrabri and Armidale camps.

These men trained at Armidale where Ernest was attached to A Company Depot Battalion. Prior to leaving Australia he was transferred to 36th Battalion at Rutherford.  His Battalion sailed for England on HMAT A72 Beltana on 13 May 1916.  After arriving in England further training took place at Salisbury Plain until he was sent to France in September.  Just two months later Ernest was admitted to hospital suffering from Trench Feet but soon rejoined his unit.  In May 1917 he suffered shell shock and was out of the firing line until October.  During April 1918 he was wounded a second time and returned to England where he was admitted to 1st London General Hospital suffering a gunshot wound to his hand. He returned to France at the end of August.

Private Ernest Griese returned to Australia in December 1918 and was medically discharged in March the following year. He married Hilda Williams at Bingara in 1919 and lived at Warialda.  Ernest died in 1953. His name is recorded on the Warialda Honor Roll.