Jacob James Grisinger was born in Byangum c1895, son of Henry & Sarah Grisinger. He had one brother & one sister.

APPLICATION

He was single farmer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 27^th October 1917 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Sarah, of Byangum

His medical showed he was 21 years 3 months old, 5ft 8 inches tall (1.72m), weighed 145 lbs (66 kgs), with a medium complexion, brown eyes & dark hair.  His eyesight was good but he required dental treatment

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Jacob “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.”  On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Jacob James Grisinger swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” 

He was Church of England and had a scar on his left leg.  He was enlisted as a private into the  41st Battalion, 5th Reinforcement with service No 2690.

This intake did not go to any training camps in Australia but were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet before heading overseas

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

The unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A55 Kyarra on 17 November 1916. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores

Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked at Plymouth on 30^th January 1917. Over many tough months, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. The area was known for its harsh weather and muddy conditions, which were seen as useful preparation for trench warfare. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more

HOSPITALISED MUMPS FEBRUARY 1917

During this time Jacob was admitted to hospital on 4^th February 1917 with mumps. Mumps was, and is, a contagious viral illness, easily spread among the soldiers. It can cause fever, swelling of the salivary glands and inflammation in other parts of the body.  Soldiers would have suffered fever, headaches, tiredness, body aches & poor appetite. There is no specific treatment for mumps. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom relief. Treatment would have included plenty of rest, lots of fluids, using a warm or cool compress to relieve facial pain and swelling & eating foods that do not need a lot of chewing

HOSPITALISATION INFLUENZA

Mumps developed into influenza and Jacob was admitted to the Fargo Hospital on 20th February. This was a dangerous disease to have in an area with a lot of people who would continue to spread the infection. Many people died with this disease which could cause trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, seizures and/or severe weakness or muscle pain.

There was no effective medical treatment for Influenza. The Army Nurse Corps was critical for soldier’s care. Symptom management by skilled supportive nursing care was the best predictor of positive patient outcomes and decreases in mortality rates. This care consisted of duties such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, fever control, providing hydration, rest, dressing changes, open-air therapy, bed baths, clean bedding, feeding, back and chest rubs with camphorated sweet oil, and cleaning the ward.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

Jacob was taken on strength with the 41^st Battalion on 12^th March 1917. After training in Australia and Britain, the 41st Battalion had arrived in France on 25 November 1916. The recruits now found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite.

MARCH TO JUNE 1917

Between March and June 1917, the 41st Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force was stationed on the Western Front. They endured a harsh winter and rotated between frontline duties near Armentières in France and across the Lys River in Belgium. The battalion faced challenging conditions, including heavy rain, flooded trenches, and relentless shelling, which significantly reduced the size of their platoons.

Their experiences during this period were marked by routine tasks and preparation for the battles that would follow later in the year. Battalions engaged in a variety of critical activities to recover, prepare, and maintain their effectiveness. Some of the key activities included rest & recovery, continuing their training, maintaining their weapons & uniforms, building & reinforcing the trenches & dugouts & barbed wire defences

They also conducted patrols and reconnaissance to gather intelligence on enemy movements and maintain control over no-man's-land & engaged in activities like writing letters, playing games, and sharing stories to bond as a unit and maintain their spirits. This downtime between battles was essential for ensuring that battalions could perform effectively when called back into action.

BATTLE OF MESSINES 7^TH JUNE 1917

Compared to some AIF battalions, the 41st's experience of the battles in Belgium during 1917 was relatively straightforward. It had a supporting role at Messines on 7 June. The British tactical objective was to capture the German defences on the ridge, which ran from Ploegsteert Wood in the south, through Messines and Wytschaete to Mt Sorrel, depriving the German 4th Army of the high ground. The ridge gave commanding views of the British defences and back areas of Ypres to the north, from which the allies intended to conduct the Northern Operation, an advance to Passchendaele Ridge and then the capture of the Belgian coast up to the Dutch frontier. The battle began with the detonation of nineteen mines beneath the German front position, which devastated it and left large craters. A creeping barrage, 700 yd (640 m) deep, began and protected the  troops as they secured the ridge with support from tanks, cavalry patrols and aircraft. The effect of the  mines, barrages and bombardments was improved by advances in artillery survey, flash spotting and centralised control of artillery from the Second Army headquarters. The attacks from 8 to 14 June advanced the front line beyond the former German Sehnenstellung (Chord Position, the Oost Taverne Line to the British). 

AUGUST 1917

It was some of the battalion's more "routine" tasks that proved its most trying experiences. The start of August found the 41st holding ground captured by two of its sister battalions in a feint attack on 31 July. Enduring continual rain, flooded trenches and heavy shelling many of the battalion's platoons dwindled from 35 men to less than ten.
THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE OCTOBER 1917 TO MARCH 1918

The 41^st captured its objectives at Broodseinde on 4 October near Ypres with little difficulty. Belgium remained the focus of the 41st Battalion's activities for the five months after its action in October 1917 as it was rotated between service in the rear areas and the front line. The battle was the most successful Allied attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. Using bite-and-hold tactics, with objectives limited to what could be held against German counter-attacks, the allied devastated the German defence, prompted a crisis among the German commanders, and caused a severe loss of morale in the 4th Army. Preparations were made by the Germans for local withdrawals and planning began for a greater withdrawal, which would entail the abandonment by the Germans of the Belgian coast, one of the strategic aims of the Flanders Offensive.

APPOINTED LANCE CORPORAL OCTOBER 1917

On 13^th October Jacob was appointed Lance Corporal

LEAVE MARCH 1918

On 14^th March 1918 he was granted Leave in England and rejoined his unit on 4^th April

THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE MARCH TO JULY 1918

When the German Spring Offensive began in March, Australian units, including the 41st Battalion, were rushed south to help hold the line. The 41st Battalion, as part of the 11th Brigade, 3rd Division, AIF, was heavily involved in resisting the German advances in this period.

Early 1918: The 3rd Division had been holding quieter sectors near Messines and Ploegsteert.

April 1918: The 41st Battalion was deployed during Operation Georgette, which targeted the Lys sector in Flanders.

This was a particularly intense period of defensive action.

Australian forces were instrumental in holding the line around Hazebrouck, which was vital to stopping the German advance toward the English Channel

In May 1918, the 41st Battalion AIF was actively engaged in operations on the Western Front during a critical phase following the German Spring Offensive. Although the major German push was slowing by this point, the situation remained highly volatile, and Australian troops—including the 41st—were heavily involved in defensive and holding operations, especially in the Somme and Lys sectors

By May, the 41st was helping to hold the line and repel further German attacks. The area was still under threat from artillery bombardments and raids, but the German momentum had largely stalled. The battalion was involved in trench holding duties, patrolling no man's land, reinforcing defensive positions and occasional localised engagements and counter-raids.

In early June, the 41st Battalion played a supporting role in the Battle of Messines, launched on 7 June 1917. This offensive aimed to capture the Messines Ridge; a strategically important position held by German forces. The battalion's involvement included holding positions and supporting the main assault forces.

PROMOTED TO CORPORAL JUNE 1918

On 29^th June 1918 Jacob was promoted to corporal

July saw the 41st Battalion preparing for upcoming offensive actions. The battalion engaged in training exercises, reconnaissance missions, and logistical planning to support the broader Allied strategy. The war diary appendices for July contain reports and orders that reflect the increasing emphasis on coordination and readiness for the anticipated Allied offensives.

AUGUST 1918: PARTICIPATION IN THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE

In August, the 41st Battalion took part in the Hundred Days Offensive, a series of Allied attacks that ultimately led to the end of the war. The battalion was involved in operations that pushed back German forces, contributing to significant territorial gains

PROMOTION TO LANCE SERGEANT

On 18^th August 1918 Jacob was promoted to Lance Sergeant

KILLED IN ACTION AUGUST 1918

Lance Sergeant Jacob James Grisinger was killed in action in France on 27th August 1918 aged 23 years, a casualty of the Hundred Day offensive action

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service Jacob was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal. His name is recorded on the Brisbane 41st Battalion Roll of Honour & Holy Trinity Anglican Church First World War Memorials Uki. Jacob’s name is recorded on the Roll of Honour  Number 134 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial Number      among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War. He is buried at Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Picardie, France

If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.