Veteran Of Two Wars

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 208, 3 September 1938, Page 11 (Supplement)

Veteran Of Two Wars

jyjANY men who served -with the Hew .> ' Zealand forceß will recognise the accompanying photograph as that of R.Q.M.S. Robert Grieve, but comparatively few -will be aware of his unique military record. In the Great War he was demobilised after service extending to five years' 13 days—he enlisted in on August 12, 1914—but; lie hid previously had experience of war, in South Africa. He enlisted in "1814 at the age of 45 years seven month,' and left with the Main Body. Employed by the Dep'uartment of Health before enlistment as a senior inspector, he was attached, to the Sanitary Corps, Evacu-ated-sick from the Peninsula to Mudroa, he was later attached to an Imperial hospital ship and went to Netley, near Southampton, a Regular Army base. His next move was to France, where he served practically throughout 1911, and later was appointed Q.M.S. at the Russell Square Club, where he came into contact with many of the troops from all parts of the Dominion. Q.M.S. .GrieVe had an interesting experience during his stay at Southampton when a.guest of Lord Radstock, at Mayfair, his country seat. With number of Imperial soldiers he was being entertained to afternoon tea, when Lord Radstock discovered that Q.M.S Grieve was a New Zealander. It transpired that, before his succession to the title Lord Radstock as the Hon. Waldergrave, had been in New Zealand and had been S|f Tarawera during the eruption in '1886. The lord of the- -manor, as * memento of the visit, presented Q.M.S. Grieve with an active service tea-

tame lit, bearing Lord Roberts' message on the flyleaf, and autographed by Lord Radstock. Fev mea to-day survive who were awarded the Kimberley Star, a medal specially struck during the Bper War to commemorate the work of the Kim* berley Volunteers, but Q.M.S. Grieve has the medal and can feel justly proud of it. After the siege he went to the Relief of Mafeking and later took part in other operationa ing the war, and was at one time attached to the intelligence staff. Q.M.S. Grieve is to-day - living in vigerous retirement in Auckland, "and meets old comrades in. the two warß in whici he served.