Arthur Harrison Grocock
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur Harrison Grocock was born in 1887 at Balderton and was the son of Samuel an engineers fitter and Sarah Grocock née Harrison of 46 Beacon Hill Road, Newark. His father Samuel was born in 1862 at Newark and his mother Sarah Jane Harrison was also born in 1862 at Newark, they were married in 1882 at Newark and went on to have the following children, John b1883 Newark, George b1884 Newark, Samuel b1886 Newark, Arthur Harrison b1887 Balderton, Richard b1888 Balderton, Frances Lucy b1891 Balderton, Annie b1894 Newark, Charles Harrison b1898 Newark, Elizabeth b1900 Newark, and Walter b1904 Newark. In the 1911 census the family are living at 46 Beacon Hill Road, Newark and are shown as Samuel 49 yrs an engineers fitter, he is living with his wife Sarah Jane 49 yrs and their children, Arthur Harrison 24 yrs a house painter, Richard 22 yrs an iron turner, Frances Lucy 20 yrs an assistant dress maker, Annie 17 yrs an assistant dress maker, Charles Harrison 13 yrs a scholar, Elizabeth 11 yrs a scholar and Walter 7 yrs a scholar. Arthur Harrison married his wife Mabel Maull in 1914 at Newark, they lived at 1 Lincoln Street, Newark. Prior to enlisting Arthur was the licensee of the Robin Hood and Little John public house near Northgate railway station, Newark, he left his wife Mabel to run the pub whilst he was in the army.
Corporal Arthur Harrison Grocock enlisted on 5th June 1916 at Newark, he served with the 17th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He landed in France in January 1917 and died of septicaemia at 17th Casualty clearing station on 12th May 1917, aged 30 yrs, he is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Plot 12, Row B, Grave 5A.
His brother Sergeant George Grocock enlisted on 16th November 1914, he served with the 6th battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. He was severely wounded in action on 18th April 1917 when he received 29 shrapnel wounds. He was returned to England for treatment and to recover. Once fit again he returned once more to France in 1918 when on 3rd November 1918 he was killed in action, he is buried at Ghissignies British Cemetery, France. His brother in law Rifleman Joseph Maull enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 2nd battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. He was killed in action on 10th July 1917 although this was not confirmed until 20th March 1918. Having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Nieuport Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Article published 19th May 1917 in the Newark Herald :- “Fourth son of Samuel & Sarah Grocock, husband of Mabel Grocock, 1 Lincoln Street, Newark. Born at Balderton and went to school there, but spent the greater part of his life in Newark. Attended Christ Church school and afterwards apprenticed to his uncle, Mr H. Bailey, painter, Baldertongate. Later employed by Mr W.S. Heading, before becoming licensee of the Robin Hood & Little John, Lincoln Street. Enlisted on June 5th, 1916 and trained at Sunderland before going out to France in Jan. 1917. Passed away suddenly at a casualty clearing station, through a haemorrage of the lungs. Brother, Sgt. George Grocock, Lincs. Territorials is in a Torquay hospital suffering from wounds. Five other brothers are at present engaged in making munitions.
