Our People in SA
Ben Grout - Huntfield Heights
Crow’s supporter Ben Grout, 34, now has something else to crow about. This ANZAC Day, the veteran Army sergeant will be Second-in-Command of the official Australia’s Federation Guard contingent at ANZAC Cove, and later at Lone Pine.
“I used to work at Mitsubishi and play soccer for South Coast,” said Ben.
“Then uncertainties at the plant made me move from the Army Reserve to full-time service. I needed to guarantee my family’s future.
“It is my second time being posted to the Guard. I first specialised in the Armoured Corps and volunteered for the Guard in 2000. After that I transferred to the 16th Air Defence Regiment where I served in East Timor and now I’m back here.
“Gallipoli will not be my first overseas trip with the Guard. “I have stood guard at Buckingham Palace; been to Singapore to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its fall; and to Fromelles in France to reinter a WWI digger who had been found in an unmarked grave.
“They have all been significant events for Australia, but Gallipoli is unique in its own right, said Ben.