Theodore Joseph Grano

GRANO, Theodore Joseph- – – – – SPC 1904-1905

DoB:– – c1890

Father:– – Theodore George Grano, Solicitor

Mother:– – Kate Cecily, nee Patton

Theodore Grano was a boarder from Ararat.

Service No:– 563

Rank:– – Private, later Corporal, later Sergeant

Unit:- – 8th Battalion

Theodore Grano enlisted in the AIF on 20 August 1914, a 25 year old farmer from Ararat. He was five feet, eight inches tall, with a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. He embarked from Australia on the Empress of Britain, on 21 October 1914. He saw action at Gallipoli and in August 1915 was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

After the Gallipoli campaign, Corporal Grano proceeded to France in 1916. He sustained a gunshot wound while in France in his right arm, and was evacuated to hospital in England to recover. By September 1916 he was again at the front line, this time in Belgium.

In August 1917 (now) Sergeant Grano attended a course of instruction in the operation of the Lewis Gun. He completed the course on 14 September 1917, and qualified First Class. He rejoined his unit in France.

In July 1918 he was wounded for the second time, at Pozieres, sustaining a shell wound in his left thigh. Once again he was evacuated to hospital in England on 24 July. In a desperate letter from Theodore’s father to the war office, begging for news of his son, he implores them for an update on Theo’s welfare after having received a cablegram with news of his being wounded -“ -‘I have been on tenterhooks for news’.

Theo was returned to Australia on 20 November 1918.

Theodore returned to civilian life in Ararat where he remained until his death. He never married. He died on 25 May 1938 at the young age of 48. His death certificate states that he died of injuries received when a motor vehicle he was driving accidentally turned over. He was buried at the Ararat Cemetery.