Frequently, while researching material to write about, it will lead me to another topic. Such is the case this week. In my last column I did a profile on John S. Graham, long-time editor and publisher of The South Alabamian during the late 1800s and early 1900s. As it turns out, Graham had a son, Rufus L. Graham, whose life experiences are an interesting story in themselves.

"Rufus L. Graham, son of John S. Graham, was born in Jackson, Ala., on May 22, 1878. He attended the schools of Jackson. He was working in the office of his father, and when he became 21 years of age he enlisted in the army and was sent to the Philippines, where he was in actual service for about 18 months.

"After this he traveled much, not only in the United States but visited many foreign countries. He was in the World War from start to finish. He enlisted in Sydney, Australia, in Aug. 1914, in the Australian division of the English army, and was immediately sent to Egypt, camping at the foot of the Pyramids near Cairo. From there his command went into actual service.

"He was in many battles and was wounded seven times. When he was not in a hospital being treated for his wounds, he was on the battlefield. On July 10, 1916, he received a wound on the Verdun front, which came nearly ending his service. His left arm and shoulder were crushed by a shell, and it was many months before he was able to perform further service. However, he finally recovered and was sent to northwest Russia, at Archangel, where he remained until Dec. 1918, when he returned to London.

"When he was wounded at Verdun, he was sent to a hospital in Manchester, England. In Sept. 1916, he was married to a lady who was born and reared in Manchester. After the war was over, he with his family went to Sydney, Australia, the government requiring him to return to the place where he enlisted before receiving his discharge.

"He was decorated several times by the British government for bravery on the battlefield."

The following letter was written by Rufus L. Graham to his father, John S. Graham after the close of the war.

"From Durban and Capetown I went up through the Natal and did some pioneering with the N.M.P., and then came out to Durban again. I stayed at Durban a few days and decided to go to Sydney. After leaving Durban we were notified by wireless that England had declared war on Germany. So when we reached Sydney, found everything in a great state of excitement, troops were being mustered in and so on.

"I and a few others went out to the barrack grounds at Victoria and watched the proceedings one morning for a few minutes, and I said to a mate, 'Let's have a cutin.' He said, "Right." So we went to the recruiting officer and he said, 'Yes, fill in this sheet for enlistment.' I was enlisted in the Third Battalion of Australia Infantry on Aug. 19, 1914, and assigned to duty with Company E as acting sergeant instructor of ordinance.

"On account of my ability to drill troops and general knowledge of most everything pertaining to military affairs, I was sent to brigade headquarters as a temporary captain on precedent work. Later on I was obliged to step down for permanent trainers. Returned to the battalion and was attached to the intelligence department and have been employed in the intelligence department ever since up to date of my discharge Sept. 29, 1919.

"Went away from Australia with the first expedition on Oct. 20, 1914, and was at the scene of the naval battle at Cocas Island when the Sydney sank the Emden. It was on Sunday morning, Nov. 1914, about 10 a.m. Landed at Alexandria, Egypt, Nov. 23, 1914. Was at both fights on the Suez, Dec. 28, 1914, and Feb. 8, 1915, and at the landing at Lemmas, April 18, 1915. Was at the famous and terrible landing at Anzac Cove on Gallipoli, Turkey, April 25, 1915 (you will notice that all of these dates are on Sunday).

After the landing I was sent to Malta with a bullet through my leg, joined up the 5th French Chasseurs and went back to Turkey with them. Stayed with them a short time; was returned to my own regiment. Organized Graham's Detachment of scouts and intelligence bureau on Gallipoli; acted as chief scout and spy while there and got into a mixup Dec. 13, 1915, in which I got four bullets slipped into me; came very near doing the job for me. However, was sent to No. 5 General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, for treatment; remained there until February, 1916.

"The tribesmen broke out and I stole a uniform from one of the hospital men; put it on over my pajamas and walked 32 miles to join the advance column against the Nashuds and Bedonins; had a yard of gauze packed away in some holes in my body, but managed to get to the firing line. My colonel found me in the lines one morning and was for sending me back to the hospital, but I begged him to let me stay.

"I stayed and had a rather bad time, as my wounds got bad from the constant moving about and not being able to keep them clean. However, I kept going. Then we were ordered to France and on the boat the trip quite healed me up.

"We landed in France and then started straightaway. I used to get on a German uniform and go to Fritz's lines. Then I took charge of the raiders, as well as the scouts; managed to get two or three holes drilled in me, but came through, all right.

"Went to Russia on secret service work in 1918. It was a rough stunt. Was staff captain and adjutant for A2 Column with the Cossacks and Czech-o-Slavs. Then went to spy work again. Got captured at Moscow and sentenced to be shot; killed the sentry and got away. Got a bayonet through my arm at Berenitskya and made my way to Archangel and got back to Lewrick, Shetland Islands, and then to Dundee and back to London to see baby, whom I had not yet seen. No one knew I was coming home. I walked in the door unannounced. My little wife nearly fainted.

"I am back in Aussy now and safe and sound. I am a fatalist. Five times wounded. Once covered by a shell. Twice mentioned by the commanding general for merit. Three times mentioned in dispatches for gallantry (whatever that means). Granted the French Medal National and French Croix de Guerre by the French government for bravery. Granted the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal for bravery in the field by the King of England. And last, but not least, got a wife to boot and she is one of the best.

"The government owes me some money yet and I am going to stop here until I get it. When I get it I am coming to America to spend a while. But I like Australia. It is a fine country. It is always fine and lots of sunshine and flowers. Everything is much cheaper here than in America. We get better wages and only have to work five days in the week."

Rufus Graham certainly led an adventurous life, but I wonder what he did for excitement when he finally made it home to Jackson?

Source: Graham's History of Clarke County.