Known as Ted, he was born in Eumundi in 1894, the third child and third son of Walter and Betsy Gridley. Ted was a grandson of Joeseph Gridley, Eumundi’s first settler.
Walter Gridley left for the war on board A36 HMAT Boonah from Sydney on 22 January 1916 aged 21.
Ted originally started his army career as a light horseman, but was later transferred to the artillery training depot at the Wilford army camps and became a gunner.
Ted had a short leave in late 1917 where he managed to catch up with his younger brother Robert (Bob) in London. Neither would have realised it would be the last time they would meet.
In March 1918 Ted was sent to France where Eric Desmond Benjamin wrote an account of him in his diary of him sustaining wounds during a shelling and of him dying on July 28.
For more of the diary extract and Gridley’s war watch the short video below
Source: Discover Eumundi Heritage & Visitor Centre 73 Memorial Drive (PO Box 427) Eumundi Qld 4562
Note: Closed due to #Covid19 until further notice
Photo: Memorial Tree for Water Joseph Edward Gridley
