Leather pouch used by Barney Bernard Grimish
Object numberM2021/020:003
TitleLeather pouch used by Barney Bernard Grimish
DescriptionBrown soft leather wallet or pouch used by Barney Bernard Grimish during military service with the AIF, 1915-1918. Serving in the 9th Battalion during World War I, this pouch was retrieved and sent back to his sister, Phyllis Numan (nee Grimish) after his death in France in 1918. It contained his Jewish prayer book, notebook and notification letter written by Chaplain Smith MacBain.
Part of collection of objects relating to the military service of the brothers Barney Bernard Grimish and Jacob (Jack) Grimish.
Barney Bernard (Bernard Aaron) Grimish was born in 1893 to Samuel Grimish (formerly Grzimish), a Jewish immigrant from London with Prussian heritage, and Emily Jane Grimish (nee Phillips), a second generation Australian Jew. Barney grew up in Brisbane, Queensland with his three living siblings, Jacob Phillip Grimish, Sarah Phyllis Numan / Jeffs (nee Grimish) and Clara Jeffery (nee Grimish). After the death of both his parents in 1901 and 1902, Barney, Clara and Sarah Phyllis are separated from their elder brother Jacob and taken into care at the Government run Diamantina Orphanage in Brisbane, Queensland in October 1902.
Barney was working as a farm hand in Yanco, New South Wales before he enlisted in the 1st Battalion in Liverpool, New South Wales on 12 January 1915. He embarked from Australia in April 1915, landing in Gallipoli on 26 May 1915. He was reunited with his brother Jack in the trenches. Barney was unaware Jack had enlisted to fight as both lived in separate states before the war. Jack writes to his uncle Baron Grimish; "I have met Barney after fifteen years! I think this is a record for brothers to meet after such a length of time on the battlefield... I think ours is a record which will take some beating."
On 6 November 1915, Barney was transferred to the 9th Battalion and continued to serve at Gallipoli. Barney continued to serve with his brother in the 9th Battalion until Jack was medically discharged for chronic bronchitis in 1916.
After the Gallipoli campaign, Barney and the 9th Battalion trained in Egypt before they were deployed to the Somme, France. There the battalion saw action at Poziéres and Ypres in Flanders in 1916, and on the Hindenburg Line in 1917. During this time, Barney rose throughout the military ranks, eventually being promoted to Lance Corporal and then Corporal in 1917. The 9th Battalion were also heavily involved with the German Spring Offensive beginning in March 1918.
Under General Monash's command, the 9th Battalion participated in Great Allied Offensive's 'the Last Hundred Days' campaign on 8 August 1918 at Amiens, France. Whilst a crucial campaign for the war's success, the Australian corps suffered heavy casualties. On 11 August 1918, Barney was killed in action at Harbonnieres, France.
In the notification letter, Chaplain Smith MacBain writes to this news and burial details to Barney's sister, Phyllis Grimish; "... [Barney] was killed when his unit was last in action. His body was buried near Cripley Wood in front of Harbonnieries with those 87 others who fell at the same time. He will be much missed and I wish to express the sympathy of the Battalion with you and yours in your loss." His personal effects were returned back to his sister, Phyllis Numan (nee Grimish) in 1919. Barney was 25 years old.
Jack named his son Bernard.
Part of collection of objects relating to the military service of the brothers Barney Bernard Grimish and Jacob (Jack) Grimish.
Barney Bernard (Bernard Aaron) Grimish was born in 1893 to Samuel Grimish (formerly Grzimish), a Jewish immigrant from London with Prussian heritage, and Emily Jane Grimish (nee Phillips), a second generation Australian Jew. Barney grew up in Brisbane, Queensland with his three living siblings, Jacob Phillip Grimish, Sarah Phyllis Numan / Jeffs (nee Grimish) and Clara Jeffery (nee Grimish). After the death of both his parents in 1901 and 1902, Barney, Clara and Sarah Phyllis are separated from their elder brother Jacob and taken into care at the Government run Diamantina Orphanage in Brisbane, Queensland in October 1902.
Barney was working as a farm hand in Yanco, New South Wales before he enlisted in the 1st Battalion in Liverpool, New South Wales on 12 January 1915. He embarked from Australia in April 1915, landing in Gallipoli on 26 May 1915. He was reunited with his brother Jack in the trenches. Barney was unaware Jack had enlisted to fight as both lived in separate states before the war. Jack writes to his uncle Baron Grimish; "I have met Barney after fifteen years! I think this is a record for brothers to meet after such a length of time on the battlefield... I think ours is a record which will take some beating."
On 6 November 1915, Barney was transferred to the 9th Battalion and continued to serve at Gallipoli. Barney continued to serve with his brother in the 9th Battalion until Jack was medically discharged for chronic bronchitis in 1916.
After the Gallipoli campaign, Barney and the 9th Battalion trained in Egypt before they were deployed to the Somme, France. There the battalion saw action at Poziéres and Ypres in Flanders in 1916, and on the Hindenburg Line in 1917. During this time, Barney rose throughout the military ranks, eventually being promoted to Lance Corporal and then Corporal in 1917. The 9th Battalion were also heavily involved with the German Spring Offensive beginning in March 1918.
Under General Monash's command, the 9th Battalion participated in Great Allied Offensive's 'the Last Hundred Days' campaign on 8 August 1918 at Amiens, France. Whilst a crucial campaign for the war's success, the Australian corps suffered heavy casualties. On 11 August 1918, Barney was killed in action at Harbonnieres, France.
In the notification letter, Chaplain Smith MacBain writes to this news and burial details to Barney's sister, Phyllis Grimish; "... [Barney] was killed when his unit was last in action. His body was buried near Cripley Wood in front of Harbonnieries with those 87 others who fell at the same time. He will be much missed and I wish to express the sympathy of the Battalion with you and yours in your loss." His personal effects were returned back to his sister, Phyllis Numan (nee Grimish) in 1919. Barney was 25 years old.
Jack named his son Bernard.
Object namepouches
Dimensions
- width: 155.00 mm
height: 110.00 mm
depth: 20.00 mm
width: 265.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr Michael Briner
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.