Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick William and Annie Grainger of Wykin Hall, Hinckley, Leics., and the husband of Matilda Grainger. His enlistment documents record that he nominated his wife Matilda Granger of Westbury, Tasmania as his next of kin, and that he had two children, (sons) Frederick and Frank, he gave his trade or calling as Farming. He stated that he had been apprenticed to a Wheelwright in England at the age of 14. Information taken from his medical examination shows that he was 5 foot 9 inches in height, weighed 11 stone and had a chest measurement of 33 to 36 inches. His complexion was described as fair with blue eyes and fair hair. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service gives the following information. Embarked aboard H.M.A.T. A35 “Berrina” at Hobart, Tasmania on 1st July 1916. Disembarked at Devonport, England on the 22nd August 1916. Joined 7th Training Battalion and proceeded overseas on the 14th October 1916. Joined 2nd Divisional Base at Etaples 16th October 1916. Taken on the strength of the 26th Battalion in the field on the 1st November 1916. Killed in action in France on the 1st April 1917. A letter from the Commonwealth of Australia, Repatriation Commission, Tasmanian Branch, Hobart written to the Officer in Charge, Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne and dated 21st December 1932 relates as follows:- RE: GRANGER, Fredk. Henry, 1638, Pte, 49th Bn (Decd.). In reply to your memorandum of 15th December 1932, I have to advise that Matilda Hood, remarried widow of the above named deceased soldier, died at Launceston on the 9.9.28. Frederick Granger, the youngest son, was employed by Messrs. W. Coogan Pty. Ltd., Furniture Manufacturers, Invermay, Factory, Launceston, on the 23.8.32 and he is probably still employed by that firm. Signed J. F. Humphris, Deputy Commissioner. The reason for the letter is explained by the need to contact the next of kin relating to the contents of the following letter from the Imperial War Graves Commission, 82, Baker Street, London W1., and dated 21st May 1928. I am directed to inform you that the soldiers names on the attached location sheet were recorded as being buried in the Australian Cemetery, Vaulx-Vraucourt. When the bodies of the British Soldiers buried in this cemetery were exhumed and reburied in Vaulx Hill Cemetery the graves of these three soldiers could not be identified. Investigations have been made and it has been ascertained that when these exhumation operations took place the bodies of the three Unknown Australian Soldiers were removed and reburied in Vaulx Hill Cemetery and it has also been ascertained that the only Australian Soldiers not accounted for are Private Granger, Rollins and Killpatrick. It would therefore appear that the three Unknown Australian Soldiers reburied in Vaulx Hill Cemetery, Vaulx-Vraucourt, are these three soldiers. It has therefore been decided to erect Special Memorials over certain graves in this Cemetery, each memorial bearing one of their names, together with regimental particulars and an inscription reading “Buried near this spot”. The particulars of the graves over which these memorials are erected is as shown on the attached location sheet. Will you please inform the next-of-kin and say the Commission regret to have to send information of this nature, but it is considered the action taken is the best possible. A parcel of personal effects was forwarded to his widow containing:- Leather Bag, Identity Disc, Safety Razor, 2 Metal Watches (Damaged), 2 Writing Pads, Song Book, Tobacco Pouch, Knife, 2 Note Books, Souvenir Album, Post Cards, Photos, Letters.