Born at Mittagong NSW, Presbyterian. Attended Cottesloe Primary School. Enlisted at Perth on 22 July 1915 age 20, clerk. Nok parents, Alfred and Mary Grono residing at Nattai, Marmion St, Cottesloe. Embarked at Fremantle 5 October 1915 per A20 Hororata. Grono saw service in the Middle East and then France where he was killed in action 2 September 1916. His body was never recovered and no grave site is recorded. A memorial is at Villers-Bretonneux, France. Service medals: 1914-15 Star, BWM and VM. A statement by Cpt. Reginald Ibbotson 48 Battalion on 4th January 1917 reads, “I am afraid very little information can be given about him as very little is known. He was acting as a runner at the time and left Battalion. Headquarters with a message for Brigade Headquarters and since then I am sorry to say nothing has been heard or seen … the only conclusion I and his friends have come to is that he was caught by shell and shrapnel while endeavouring to deliver his message.” His personal effects sent to his parents consisted of a calendar, letter, hymn book, interpreter, wallet, scarf, two pair of mittens, safety razor, folding rule, writing paper and envelopes.
