2/1348 William John Grubb, NZ Field Artillery
NZEF MM Memorial Plaque Group - Killed in Action
The scarce Military Medal, 1914/15 Star trio and Memorial Plaque group issued to the next of kin of 2/1348 William John Grubb, who died of wounds in April 1918, subsequently being Gazetted for the MM in August 1918.
William Grubb was born 10th November 1885 at Lyttelton. New Zealand. Son of David and Caroline Grubb. He was educated at the Lyttelton Borough School and remained at the port, becoming a shipwright. He enlisted for service in the NZEF in 1915, and embarked with the 4th Reinforcements, NZ Field Artillery. He served in Egypt before transferring to the Western Front in April 1916. He was promoted to bombardier in March 1917. and to corporal in May of that year. In September 1917 he was wounded and evacuated to hospital at Boulogne. Upon recovery he returned to his unit, 5th Battery, NZFA and in April 1918 was promoted to sergeant. Less than two weeks after his promotion he suffered a fatal wound, dying of his wounds on 18th April 1918. He was buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.
Grubb was Gazetted for the Military Medal on 6th August 1918, although details of the action for which his MM was awarded are unknown.
The MM is correctly impressed 2-1348 SJT: W.J. GRUBB. 5 / BY: N.Z.F.A. and the trio is correctly impressed 2/1348 SJT. W.J. GRUBB. N.Z.E.F. The Memorial Plaque is correctly embossed WILLIAM JOHN GRUBB. The group comes a message of condolence from King George V and a hat pugraree and badge.