GRIMES, Michael

Michael’s birth to Michael and Sarah Grimes was registered at Inverell in 1884. The family lived at Swan Vale, between Inverell and Glen Innes.

At the age of thirty-two, Michael enlisted at Ashford in October 1916, joining the 1st Australian Light Horse Camel Corps. He departed from Australia on board RMS Karmala in February 1917 and arrived at Suez, Egypt the following month. By May 1917 he had been appointed a Temporary Driver with the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance at Moscar. After becoming ill with pneumonia in September he was sent to 14th Australian General Hospital for treatment. Two months later he transferred to the 5th Light Horse Field Ambulance.

Michael returned to Australia from Suez on the ship Burma and was medically discharged on 1st September 1919. Shortly after his return home, a Welcome Home function was held for Michael and his friend Oliver Courtney at Swan Vale, when residents presented both men with a medal and gold watch with chain.

After the War, Michael farmed at Swan Vale with his brother. He died there in 1944 and was buried at Inverell.