Jack Groves
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Henry Groves known as Jack was born on 16th September 1899 at Nottingham, he was the son of Henry Groves a lace maker and the late Annie Groves née Smith of 3 Sherbrooke Road, Carrington. Henry was born in 1861 at Carrington, Mary Smith was born in 1868 at Hyson Green, she died in 1905 aged 37 yrs, they were married in 1893 their marriage was recorded in the Basford registration district, they had 4 children, sadly 1 died in infancy or early childhood. In the 1911 census the family are living at 1 Glasgow Terrace, Bernard Street, Carrington, Henry 50 yrs is a lace make, he is a widow, he is living with his children, Ethel 15 yrs a blouse maker, John 11 yrs a schoolboy and Arthur 9 yrs of age.
Private John Henry Groves was originally called up in 1917 and served with the Army Service Corps, at the end of the war he was demobilised but was unable to find work and re enlisted in 1921 and served with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, his pension record cards shows merely that he was 'shot on sentry duty whilst in Ireland' on 7th July 1921 at Drogheda Castle, he is buried at Nottingham Church Cemetery.
Nottingham Evening Post Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 11 July 1921: ‘Groves. Pte JH Groves, KOYLI, killed in Ireland July 8th (sic), 1921, in his 21st year. Funeral Church Cemetery, Tuesday, 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 12 July 1921: ‘Burial of Soldier Shot at Drogheda (sic) Castle. Private John Henry Groves, 21 King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, whose home is at 3, Sherbrooke-road, Carrington, and who was shot by Sinn Feiners at Drogheda, Ireland, on the 7th inst., was buried in the Nottingham Church Cemetery Today. Private Groves, who was the son of a lacemaker, was called to the colours at the age of 18, and served with the ASC. Unable to secure work on demobilisation, he re-enlisted into the KOYLI, and was sent out with a draft to Ireland a short time ago. It is stated that he was a sentry on observation duty at the top of Drogheda Castle at 10 o’clock on the night of the tragedy. Rifle-firing suddenly took place and Grove fell shot in the head. The funeral to-day was a very quiet one. The only military touch given to the proceedings was the presence of the corporal who had brought the body over. The Rev. WHC Stainer, chaplain, conducted the simple ceremony, and the principal mourners were the father, sister, and a brother in the RAF. Very few members of the general public were present, the interment taking place half an hour earlier than originally announced.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Journal, 13 July 1921: ‘Killed in Ireland. Nottingham Soldier Laid to Rest. The funeral took place at Nottingham Church Cemetery yesterday of Private JH Groves, KOYLI, who was killed in Ireland a few days before the truce came into operation. On Thursday night last, while on sentry duty at Drogheda Castle, he was shot in the head by rifle fire, and died shortly afterwards. Only 21 years of age, he originally enlisted when 18, and when on demobilisation he could not find employment he re-enlisted, and had been Ireland a few months before his tragic death. His home was at Sherbrooke-road, Carrington, and the 4 chief mourners at the funeral were his father, sister, and a brother who is serving in the RAF.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) However research has revealed on the website British Soldiers who died in Ireland 1919 – 1921 a chttps://www.cairogang.com/soldiers-killed/groves-jh/groves.html copy of his death certificate which states the cause of death to be ‘ shock and hemorrage following compound fracture of the skull with severe laseration to the brain caused by a gun shot wound inflicted upon himself during a fit of temporary insanity, Origin certificate received from Military Court of enquiry dated 8th July 1912 . Additional research Peter Gillings and Rachel Farrand.
