AUSTRALIAN BLACKS AT THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2878, 16 September 1916, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN BLACKS AT THE FRONT

—-—♦ ' STOIIY OF -DOUGLAS GRANT. It is not generally known tliafc several aborigines have gone with tho Australian military forces to the .front. One of the most remarkable of them is Douglas Grant, who left Sydney with Reinforcements ' last week. lie was ready to go a couple of months ago, rvhen ho passed the sergeant's 1 examination, but at the last moment a Government official discovered a regulation preventing an aboriginal from leaving tlie country, and, much to his disgust and to that' of his comrades—for ho was one of- the most popular fellows in the. company—Grant had to stay behind until last week, when the authorities, gave the required permission that enabled iiim to.lpave. Douglas Grant is tho adopted son of Mr. Robert Grant, chief taxidermist at the Australian Museum. It is nearly 30 years ago since Mr. Grant, while on an expedition in northern Queensland, came across him in a gunyah in the bush. Douglas was then only/a child of about two years. His father and mother had been killed in a tribal disturbance, and Mr. Grant decided to adopt him, and bring him south. Ho was sent to tho home of Mr. Henry Grant, sen., at Litligow, and soon manifested a tasto for drawing. He also took a, keen interest in tho cadet movement. On reaching manhood he entered Mort's Dock and Company, and for 10 years was employed .there as a draftsman, being one of the most proficient. Outdoor life, however, naturally made a strong appeal to him, and two or three years ago, having gained experience as a -wool-classer, ho accepted a position at Belltrees, Scone, the homestead property of Mr. H. L. White. This young aboriginal soldier is a man of high attainments,. with, a great love for Shakespeare and poetry generally. He is a. very good artist, and plays tho bagpipes as well as any Scot.