Soldier Record
George Groom
Contributed by: Roseann Ditchfield, on 2008-11-05
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | George |
| Surname | Groom |
| Year of Birth | 1870 |
| Year of Death | 1924 |
| Regiment | South Staffordshire Regiment |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Aldershot, Staffordshire |
George's Story
My great grandfather, George Groom was born in April 1870. He was married at the Parish Church Reddal Hill on 20th March 1911 to Rose Anne Dunn.
On 1st May 1913 their son, Frank George Groom (my grandfather) was born.
His wife; Rose Anne was 7 months pregnant with their second child John Charles Groom when my great grandfather signed up. On the 24 August 1914, aged 24 years and four months he signed up at Brierley Hill, for three years short service with the Colours (infantry) after being declared fit for army service.
George joined the army at Aldershot.
His service records describe George at enlistment as being 5’4†tall, weight: 122lbs (I think this is about 8st 10lb) Chest girth: 34†range of expansion 3â€Â(For fitting of uniform I would guess). His complexion is described as sallow. His eyes Hazel, Hair colour: dark brown. Living Netherend, Cradley.
The short service form is stamped 6th Battn. Leicestershire Regt. And states: ‘you may be retained after the termination of hostilities until your services can be spared, but such retention shall in no case exceed six months. If however the war is over in less than 3 years you will be discharged with all …..’ (The rest is illegible as the handwriting is faded).
His son, John Charles was born on 31 October 1914.
George was reported as injured and visiting the infirmary on the 31 Dec 1915. When he had a burn of some kind.
He served in France between 1916-18 and was reported as wounded and shell-shocked 13.04.1917.
He was reported again as being injured on the 25 April 1918.
He was discharged from the colours on 03 February 1919 then went on to serve with the 3rd Leicestershire Pr Bn South Staffs regiment, company B. Rank: Private (pte).
Whilst with the above regiment he ‘overstayed his pass from tattoo until 11.00p.m.’ by 5 days 8 hours 15 minutes and was disciplined on 26 June 1918.
He requested discharge from the S.Staffs regiment on 17 Feb 1922.
He was awarded 3 medals: The ‘1914-15 star’ on 18.04.1921, the ‘British war medal’ and the ‘victory medal’.
The 1914/15 Star was awarded to those individuals who saw service in France and Flanders from 23 November 1914 to 31 December 1915, and to those individuals who saw service in any other operational theatre from 5 August 1914 to 31 December 1915.
British War Medal The British War Medal 1914-1920, authorised in 1919, was awarded to eligible service personnel and civilians alike. Qualification for the award varied slightly according to service. The basic requirement for army personnel and civilians was that they either entered a theatre of war, or rendered approved service overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Service in Russia in 1919 and 1920 also qualified for the award.
Victory Medal The Victory Medal 1914-1919 was also authorised in 1919 and was awarded to all eligible personnel who served on the establishment of a unit in an operational theatre.
His religion was stated in his soldiers record as primitive Methodist.
He received his army pay on 6 April 1922. The award is
stamped ‘West Midland Regiment.’
No additional memories have been submitted