Reginald Horace Grundy
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Reginald Horace was the son of Tom Grundy and his wife Kate nee White. His father was born in Bramcote, Nottingham, in about 1860 and his mother in Beeston, Nottingham. They were married in 1884 (A/M/J Shardlow Derbyshire) and had nine children of whom eight survived to adulthood: Samuel Herbert Percival (Percy) b. Long Eaton 19 March 1887 (A/M/J Shardlow) bap. Long Eaton 1 May 1887; John William (Willie) b. Long Eaton 1889 (A/M/J Shardlow); Reginald Horace (Reg) b. Ilkeston 1892 (J/A/S Basford); Pollie b. Ilkeston birth registered 1895 (J/F/M Basford); Sarah Elizabeth Winifred (Winnie) b. Nottingham prob. 29 November 1896, birth registered 1897 (J/F/M Nottingham); Elsie Kate b. Nottingham 23 June 1899 (J/A/S Nottingham); Tom Leslie (Leslie) b. Nottingham 18 February 1902 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Clara Gladys (Gladys) b. Nottingham 1905 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1890 Tom (31), an agent and collector for Prudential Assurance, and Kate (29) were living on Bridge Street, Long Eaton, with their two sons Samuel (4)and John (2). By 1901 the family was living at 8 Deering Street, Nottingham. Tom (41) was working as a coal merchant and newsagent and he and Kate (39) now had six children: Samuel (14), a dray lad for the Midland Railway, John (12), Reginald (8), Pollie (6), Sarah (4) and Elsie (1). The family was still living at 8 Deering Street in 1911 but Tom was now working as a lace maker (Levers) while Kate was running the newsagents ('etc'). Apart from the eldest child, Samuel, all their other children were still living at home: John (22) an unemployed iron turner, Reginald (18) a clerk for a paper manufacturer, Polly (16) and Sarah (14) who were both packers of chemicals for Boots Cash Chemist, and Elsie (11), Leslie (9) and Clara (6) who were all still at school. However, by the time of Reginald's death in 1915 the family was living at 39 Beauvale Road, Meadows, and this was still their address when Tom completed a form for the Army in May 1919 listing Reginald's surviving blood relatives. All but Samuel were still living with their parents. Kate Grundy died in 1922 (A/M/J Nottingham) and Tom married Edith H Turner in 1932 (A/M/J Nottingham). At the time of the 1939 England & Wales Register, Tom and Edith were living at 30 Neville Street, Nottingham, with his unmarried daughter, Elsie. Tom died on 14 April 1944 aged 84 (A/M/J Nottingham) and a report of his death which appeared in the local paper is transcribed in 'Extra Information.' Of Reginald's siblings: Samuel Herbert Percival married and in 1939 was living at 73 Violet Road, Southampton, with his wife Sarah Lallie (b. 17 January 1880). Samuel was a school master but served in the war as a captain in the Home Guard (246265, 18th Bn Essex Regiment Home Guard). However, he was shot and killed on 22 June 1944 in an incident involving a soldier who was absent without leave. Reports of the incident following which the soldier stood trial for murder are transcribed in 'Extra Information'. Samuel is buried in Colchester Cemetery (Sec. B. Div. B. Grave 104). CWGC: ‘Son of Tom and Kate Grundy, husband of Sarah Lallie Grundy, of Bassett, Hampshire. His son George Alexander also died on service.’ Lance Corporal George Alexander Grundy, No 19 Field Survey Company Royal Engineers died on 20 July 1942 (Baghdad North Gate War Cemetery); George was married to Rosaline and they also lived in Southampton. John William was living at 3 Bathley Street, Meadows, in 1939 with his wife Ivy Ann M (b. 14 May 1897) and their daughter Elsie KJ later Bellaby (b. 6 September 1927). John was a lathe hand engineer. He died in 1873(O/N/D Nottingham). Pollie married Thomas E Pepper in 1922 (A/M/J Nottingham) Sarah Elizabeth Winifred married George Dolby in 1921 (J/A/S Nottingham). George had died by the time the 1939 Register of England & Wales was compiled when the widowed Sarah was living with her youngest brother, Tom Leslie, at 1 Dale Street, Sneinton. Her occupation was given as 'unpaid domestic duties'. She probably died in 1978 (J/A/S Mansfield). Elsie Kate was living with her father and stepmother at 30 Neville Street, Nottingham, in 1939. She probably married George W Needham in 1944 (J/F/M Nottingham). Tom Leslie was living with his widowed sister Sarah Elizabeth Winifred Dolby in 1939 at 1 Dale Street, Sneinton. He was working as a 'relieving officer'. He may have married Nancy B Mills in 1942 (J/F/M Nottingham) and died in 1976 (J/A/S Nottingham). Clara Gladys married Frederick G Jenkinson in 1930 (J/A/S Nottingham).
Reginald joined the 7th Reserve Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) on 16 February 1909 at the age of 17 years 8 months. He was then living at 8 Deering Street and named his father as his next of kin; his home address was later amended to 39 Beauvale Road, Meadows. He served at Home from 16 February 1909 completing two weeks' annual camps as required of the Territorial Force. He re-engaged on 15 February 1913 and again in 1914. He was promotoed to corporal on 2 May 1914 and appointed acting sergeant on 8 May 1915, which shortly after was made substantive from the same date. Reginald served in France from 28 February 1915 and was killed on 1 October 1915 after 216 days in theatre. He is buried in Hedge Row Trench Cemetery (grave ref Sp. Mem. G.9) He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Their glory shall not be blotted out' His personal effects comprising: disc, gospel, testament, cigarette case, photo and cigarette holder, were returned to his monther in 1916. His sister Winnie acknowledged receipt of the effects on behalf of her mother, but asked about a wrist watch and pocket book that had not been returned with her brother's other possessions. Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 20 October 1915 (abridged): 'Grundy. Killed in action October 1st, Sergeant Reg Grundy 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, 39 Beauvale Road, Nottingham, 23 years. Mother, father, brothers, sisters.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 2 October 1916: ‘Grundy. In affectionate remembrance of Sgt. Reginald H. (Reg) Grundy, of the 1/7th Robin Hoods, who fell in action October 1st, 1915. He gave his life that others might live. From his sorrowing and loving father, mother, brothers and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 2 October 1916: ‘Grundy. In loving memory of of Sergt. RH Grundy, of the 1/7th Robin Hoods, killed in action October 1st 1915. One sad year has passed away since the one I loved was called away. Dorothy, also Mrs Wallis and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 1 October 1917: ‘Grundy,.In affectionate remembrance of Sergeant RH (Reg) Grundy, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action October 1st, 1915. We miss you more and more as the days go by, but your sacrifice will not be in vain. From sorrowing father, mother, brothers and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 1 October 1917: ‘Grundy,.In loving memory of Sergeant RH (Reg) Grundy, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action October 1st, 1915. A noble life laid down. Dorothy, also Mrs Wallis and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', Tuesday 1 October 1918: ‘In loving memory of Sergt. Reginald Horace (Reg) Grundy, Robin Hood Rifles, who was killed in action October 1st, 1915. Tis sweet to know we’ll meet again where partings are no more, and that the one we loved so dear has only gone before. From his loving mother, father, sisters and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', Tuesday 1 October 1918: ‘Grundy. In loving memory of Sergt RH Grundy, 1/7th Robin Hoods, killed in action October 1st 1915. Ever remembered. Dorothy, Mrs Wallis and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) ‘In Memoriam’ notices were also placed in the Nottingham Evening Post on 1 October 1919, 1920 and 1921 by his family and Dorothy and her family. Tom Grundy: Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 15 April 1944: ‘Grundy. On April 14th, Tom, of 30 Neville-street, aged 84, beloved husband of Edith and father of Percy, Will, Pollie, Winnie, Elsie, Leslie, Gladys. Service St Saviour’s 2pm Monday, Wilford Hill 2.30pm.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 14 April 1944. Article with photograph (extract): ‘Death of ARP’s GOM. Notable Career of Mr T Grundy. Mr Tom Grundy of 30, Neville-street, Nottingham, the city’s ‘grand old man’ of the ARP Services, died in the General Hospital during last night. He was in his 85th year. So keen was he on his work that, in spite of his great age, he turned out on all ‘alerts’. When he celebrated his 82nd birthday in July 1941, he was reported to be the veteran of England’s ARP services. Mr Grundy, who joined the Warden Service in September of 1938, said, ‘Every man should be performing some kind of service.’ A native of Bramcote, where he received his early education at the National School under Mr John Fry, Mr Grundy held a good record of service in the Forces, while his son and many members of his family are in the Army, Air Force, special constabulary, and AFS … Later he went [to work at] a brickyard at Wollaton, then worked at Stanton Gate and later at Langley Mill, while he also held appointments at Ilkeston and Staveley. Eventually he came to Nottingham, and worked as a lacemaker at Lenton ... He enlisted in the Notts. and Derbyshire Volunteers (Long Eaton Company) in 1886, and joined the 2nd Battalion Robin Hoods in 1900. He also served in the country in the last war.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Samuel Herbert Percival Grundy: Death index: Samuel HP Grundy b. 1887 d. 1944 O/N/D Colchester Essex age 57 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 27 June 1944: ‘Grundy. June 22nd, suddenly, Percy, our beloved brother. Cremation Colchester, Wednesday. No flowers or mourning. Brothers and sisters’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive,co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 12 July 1944: ‘Nottingham Captain’s Death. Soldier’s Alleged Statement. Private Henry Arthur Jones, 20, of the Somerset Light Infantry, whose home is at Weston-super-Mare, was at Colchester today, charged with the murder of Capt. Samuel Herbert Percival Grundy, a quartermaster attached to the Home Guard, whose home was at Southampton. Captain Grundy was a son of the late Mr Tom Grundy who was Nottingham’s oldest air raid warden until his death last (sic) year. Mr Robey, prosecuting, said that on June 22nd, Jones phoned the police. When a polieman was sent Jones said he had shot an officer. He showed the policeman the body of Grundy and also a Sten gun in a field. Grundy’s body was riddled with bullets, some of the shots having entered after death had taken place. Det. Hart said Jones, in a statement, said he stole money from the barracks and took a Sten gun. When the captain saw him he – the captain – asked for the gun, but Jones refused to give it to him. ‘We struggled, and I lost my head and shot him. I must have been mad.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 8 November 1944 (extract): ‘Body in Field. Private accused of Captain’s Death. Private Henry Arthur Jones (20), whose home is at Weston-super-Mare, pleaded 'Not Guilty' at Essex Assizes at Chelmsford to-day to the murder of Capt. Samuel Percival Herbert Grundy, 58, of the 18th Battn, Essex Home Guard, whose body was found in a field at Abberton, near Colchester, on June 22nd, after he had gone out rabbit shooting.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Western Morning News, 9 November 1944 (extract): ‘HG Officer Shot. Private Found Guilty of Manslaughter. Sentence of 15 years’ penal servitude was passed by Mr Justice Singleton at Essex Assize at Chelmsford yesterday on Pte Henry Arthur Jones, 20, of Weston-super-Mare, who was found ‘Not Guilty’ of murder but ‘Guilty’ of the manslaughter, of Capt. Sml. Percival Herbert Grundy of the 18th Battn, Essex Home Guard.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
