The Groseth cousins, Jorgen and Erick, one a son of Johan Eriksen Groseth and Karen Erickson, of Sandviken, Kristiania (Christiania), Norway. 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion casualties, less than a month apart during Canada’s Last Hundred Days in the Great War. Johan and Karen had two other sons, Ernest and Anton K. Groseth, who had also emigrated to Canada.
Norway declared neutrality when the Great War broke out, and remained neutral for the duration. As a nation with a large merchant fleet, and vast natural resources, Norway profited from the war economically.
At least fourty-seven Norwegian-born soldiers lost their lives serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in the Great War. Jorgen and Erick would serve in France from February 1918. The Groseth cousins killed instantly in battle, less than 100 days before the Armistice.
Enlistment
Jorgen Groseth 1018204 born 28 December 1885 in Christiana, Norway, the first of the Groseth cousins to enlist. Jorgen enlisted on 29 April 1916. Father named John Groseth.
Erick Groseth 1018387 born 7 April 1886, also in Christiana, Norway, followed suit on 6 June 1916, claiming his Next-of-Kin as his brother Ernest Groseth. Both enlisted with the 232nd Battallion, CEF, North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
Jorgen stood 5′ 10″ tall, with ruddy complexion, grey eyes and fair hair. Unlike Erick, he claimed a brother Anton K. Groseth, Paynton, Sask., as N-o-K. Erick the shorter of the two Groseth cousins at 5′ 5″ tall, with fresh complexion, grey eyes, and light brown hair.
Simultaneously, Jorgen and Erick admitted Medical District No. 10, Tonsillitis, Camp Hughes, 16 October 1916. With a clean bill-of-health, the Groseth cousins discharged on 21 October 1916.
England
The Groseth cousins sailed from Halifax per SS NORTHLAND, 18 April 1917.
The Groseth cousins embarked at Liverpool, 29 April 1917. Entrained for Segregation Camp, Bramshott, 30 April 1917.
For a short time, the Groseth cousins are separated. Jorgen assigned to the 15th Canadian Reserve Battalion, Bramshott Camp, and Erick with the Miscellaneous Draft, Divisional Cycle Platoon.
By May 1917, the Groseth cousins are united again, now assigned to the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
France
Jorgen and Erik entered France with the 5th Battalion, 28 February 1918. The Groseth cousins arrive at the front on 4 March 1918, at Mazingarbe.
Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension
Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery was used by units and field ambulances from June 1915 to February 1916. It contains 108 Commonwealth burials of the Great War and 24 French war graves. The adjoining Communal Cemetery Extension was begun by the 16th (Irish) Division in April 1916 and was used until October 1918. It contains 248 Commonwealth burials of the Great War and two German graves.
Gassed
Less than two weeks after arriving at the front, Jorgen admitted No. 22 General Hospital, Camiers, Gassed, 13 March 1918. Private Jorgen Groseth and 8 other troops gassed or suffocated the day before, on 12 March 1918 at Loos. Although, only a touch of gas for Jorgen – discharged to duty, 15 March 1918.
Again, Private Jorgen Groseth admitted No. 22 General Hospital, Camiers, Influenza, 27 June 1918. The 5th Battalion spending considerable time lately in the damp caves of Maison-Blanche. While Jorgen hospitalized, his brother Erick is enjoying himself at Tincques, as the Canadian Corps celebrate Dominion Day.
Dominion Day
Private Jorgen Groseth discharged to duty on 5 July 1918, just over a month before his death. When Jorgen catches up to Erick, the 5th Battalion are still at Ostreville, close to Tincques, Pas-de-Calais.
Battle of Amiens
Canadian and Allied troops won a major victory against Germany at the Battle of Amiens, 8-12 August 1918. Amiens the first in a string of offensive successes, known as the Hundred Days Offensive, leading to the end of the Great War, and the Armistice of 11 November 1918.
Jorgen Killed-in-Action, 9 August 1918. 40 Other Ranks killed, 26 missing, 218 wounded on second day of the Battle of Amiens in the 5th Battalion. 2nd in Command, Major C.K.L. Pyman killed.
Not a single casualty before noon coming into position, the bulk of casualties coming on the advance towards Warvillers, and later on Avenue des Marmites, between Vrely and Rouvroy-en-Santerre. In position at Sheet 51b.O.35.a the following morning, Opal Trench, south of the brickworks near Vis-en-Artois.
Sergeant Raphael Louis Zengel VC
“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when protecting the battalion right flank. He was leading his platoon gallantly forward to the attack, but had not gone far when he realised that a gap had occurred on his flank, and than an enemy machine gun was firing at close range into the advancing line. Grasping the situation, he rushed forward some 200 yards ahead of the platoon, tacked the machine-gun emplacement, killed the officer and operator of the gun, and dispersed the crew. By his boldness and prompt action he undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades.
Later, when the battalion was held up by very heavy machine-gun fire, he displayed much tactical skill and directed his fire with destructive results. Shortly afterwards he was rendered unconscious for a few minutes by an enemy shell, but on recovering consciousness he at once continued to direct harassing fire on the enemy.
Sjt. Zengel’s work throughout the attack was excellent, and his utter disregard for personal safety, and the confidence he inspired in all ranks, greatly assisted in bringing the attack to a successful end.”
London Gazette, no.30922, 27 September 1918
Death of Private Jorgen Groseth
During an attack on Warvillers, and when near the final objective between the villages of Vrely and Rouvroy, he was hit in the head by a machine gun bullet, and instantly killed.
Circumstances of Death: Private Jorgen Groseth
Private Jorgen Groseth buried on the battlefield at Sheet 66E.L.2.d.7.8, 720 yards north-north-west of Death Corner in Rouvroy-en-Santerre. Following the Armistice, exhumed, likely in early 1919, and buried at Rosieres Communal Cemetery Extension, 8 1/2 miles north-west of Roye, Plot 3, Row F, Grave 15. The communal cemetery, less than three miles north from Jorgen’s battlefield burial location. Next-of-Kin notified of the burial location in Rosieres, 6 March 1920.
Many brothers who lost their sibling during the Great War had opportunity to visit their grave, or in this case, also attend their burial. Erick denied both opportunities, as his battalion still engaged while the burial parties completed their work. Erick also denied an opportunity to visit during embolization, as many others did. Sadly, he had not the opportunity, as his own death came a few weeks later.
Action at the Crow’s Nest
Erick Killed-in-Action, 1 September 1918. Actions during the capture of the Crow’s Nest, an enemy strong point on a high bluff overlooking a large section of the Drocourt-Quéant Line. Estimated casualties in the 5th Battalion, 10 Officers and 225 Other Ranks.
Death of Private Erick Groseth
During an attack made by his Battalion North of the Hendecourt-lez-Cagnicourt Dury Road, he was hit by pieces of a high explosive shell, and instantly killed.
Circumstances of Death: Private Erick Groseth
Buried in the newly constructed Upton Wood Cemetery, 5 1/2 miles south-east of Arras, Row C, Grave 14. Fourty-four other identified men of the 5th Battalion rest with Private Erick Groseth.
Major T.D.J. Ringwood
Major T.D.J. Ringwood had reconnaissanced the area on 10 August 1918, during the Battle of Amiens. He too was instantly killed, at Death Corner by a high explosive shell which had passed through his chest.
Corporal Omer Bélanger MM and Bar
Corporal Omer Bélanger MM and Bar 198952 served with the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion, joining the unit nearly a year before the Groseth cousins. A survivor, Omer returned to Canada on 29 April 1919, onboard SS BALTIC.
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