The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- McGrath
- First Name:
- Laurence James
- Nick Name:
- Laurie
- Rank:
- Acting Sergeant (Promoted on 28.8.1943)
- Regimental #:
- WX8611
- Awards:
- Mentioned in Despatches
- Company:
- 'B' Company
- Enlisted:
- 18.10.1940
- Discharged:
- 16.11.1945
- DOB:
- 14.09.1916
- Place of Birth:
- Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Francis James McGrath
- Mothers's Name:
- Jean McGrath
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Manager at State Building Supplies
- Java:
- Remained onboard HMT Aquatania at Java & returned to Australia sick. Admitted to 110 (P) MH on 25/1/1942 and discharged to unit on 31/4/1942. Soldier went on to serve at Wewak, Lae and Aitape with rank of A/Sgt. from 28/8/1943.
General Description
McGrath remained onboard HMT ‘Aquitania’ at Java, returning to Australia sick. Admitted to 110 (P)MH o . 25 January 1942 and discharged to unit on 32 March 1942. He went onto serve at Wewak, Lae and Aitape with rank of A/Sgt from 28.8.1943.
McGrath was Mentioned in Despatches whilst serving with 43rd Water Transport Company.
There was an explosion on a landing barge which caused a fire to break out. Acting Sergeant McGrath exposed himself to the flames and rescued an unconscious soldier. His actions were recognised and published Commonwealth Gazette 21.2.1946.
![Laurie McGrath and Vickers Machine Gun](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/McGrath018-copy-868x1024.jpg)
![McGrath Davies Hinds Parker Newell Gregory](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/McGrath-Davies-Hinds-Parker-Newell-Gregory-1024x761.jpg)
![McGrath & James](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/McGrath-James-743x1024.jpg)
![Bulla Robinson, TrevorJames, J Flanagan & L McGrath](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bulla-Robinson-TrevorJames-J-Flanagan-L-McGrath-1024x752.jpg)
![L McGrath,T Miller& C Flakemore](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/L-McGrathT-Miller-C-Flakemore--1024x752.jpg)
![Laurie McGrath & his wife Thelma](/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/McGrsth-Laurie-Thelma-1024x758.jpg)