- The memoirs - a chronology of
events in the life of Ed Groves, with references to mentioned family members
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The
memoirs provide anecdotes and references to Edward's brothers and sisters,
those mentioned being Tom, Jack, William (Bill), Andrew,
Margaret (Mag) and Mary and next-generation offspring, including my father, Edward Archibald Groves,
all of this proving a valuable source of information. I thought that I
would list the facts as I know them to be at the present. |
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The Life of Edward Groves - the highlights:
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Having
enlisted in the Queen's Army in May, 1893, his mother attempts to reclaim
him. He enlists with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers but decides, upon arrival at
Aldershot, that this isn't for him and walks out, only to be caught about 3
miles up the road! |
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- I
joined the Third Militia Battalion Royal Fusiliers in May, 1893, and did
the annual training at Hounslow. The following year, at St. George's
Barracks, London, I enlisted in the Second Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
- I
lay a long time wondering what my mother, sisters and brothers were
thinking about my absence from home, as I had never once been away without
their knowledge. As we emerged through the barrack gate, I saw
Mother
and
brother Bill waiting there with many others. My heart sank to my
boots when I saw her step forward and in her best fighting voice say "Come
on, my boy, no damned soldiering for you". Without halting us, the
recruiting sergeant raised his hand and said "You're too late mother, he
now belongs to the Queen". This brought tears my dear old mother's
eyes,
but she very bravely followed us to the railway station, and saw us off,
putting a half sovereign into my hand and kissing me for the first time I
could remember.
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Now
we were off on our great adventure! Arrived at Aldershot, the biggest
training camp of those days, we were met by Garrison Military Police,
who took us to the various regiments to which we were posted, and handed
us over to the orderly room. We were posted to A Coy. and told to report
to our Company Office, but as the regiment was out on a field day, the
whole barracks was empty. We had a look into the rooms, which appeared
to our minds to be like so many stables or barns, with twenty beds along
each side, all made up like rows of soldiers on parade, tabled in the
centre, with plates and tea basins, big enough to wash in, all set out
for a meal.
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This sight depressed us very much, and the fact that there was no one
there to welcome us, together with the thoughts of my mother's
tears at losing me, turned us both against being soldiers, and we
decided to walk back home to London.
We had the weird idea that as long as we had not worn military uniform,
we could not be charged with desertion.
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We
had done about three miles, and were just passing through North Camp,
when we ran almost into the arms of Garrison Provost Sergeant, who had
seen us arrive at the station that morning, had recognised us at once,
and had guessed what we were up to. He was a big brawny Irishman, and
had a face that would terrify older men than we were, with a pair of
really cross eyes. "Where are you boys off to", says he. I replied
"We're just going for a walk until the troops get back". He replied
"Well, I heard the bands of the South Camp playing some time ago, so
they must be in now. Come along with me, and I'll show you a short cut
to barracks". And taking me by the arm in a fatherly fashion, he walked
with us all the way to the barracks, talking to us in a very nice way,
and telling of his long service with his old regiment. Then he handed us
over to our company.
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The document
confirms Edward Groves's enlistment into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in May,
1894. |
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In October, 1894, the regiment is sent to Manchester but Edward
Groves
finds the duties tough. He hears from a friend in the Royal Scots Fusiliers,
the unit he originally intended joining and decides to desert on 5th March,
1895. |
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.......the regiment was ordered to proceed to Manchester,
to garrison that city, and in October, 1894, we entrained at Aldershot
during the afternoon, and arrived in Manchester the next morning.
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.......a letter I received
from my pal Bill Scott, who was in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, telling me
that his regiment was gazetted for service in India the next year,
decided Jackman and I that we would go to Aldershot where the Scots
Fusiliers were now stationed and join that regiment.
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When
we had originally enlisted in London,
we had wanted to join the Royal Scots Fusiliers then, but as that
regiment was closed to recruits, we were told that we could join another
regiment and if, after a few months, we were not satisfied, we could
apply for a transfer. We naturally fell for this, and applied so often
that we both became marked men and decided to walk out - in fact DESERT!
Jackman, still an officer's batman, had his civvy clothes, but I had
sold mine. Jackman, however, managed to buy a suit from another batman.
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On
the night of March 5th, 1895, dressed in civvies, with our regimental
red stripe trousers and greatcoats, we were inspected at the main gated
guard room, and passed "fit to parade the streets of Manchester
.
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After travelling for several days down to London, he eventually reaches
Aldershot, where he enlists into the Royal Scots Fusiliers on 11th March,
1895. |
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-
I
reached Aldershot that night, and found one of my pals, Lance-Corporal
Bill Scott, who took me along to the reception room, where I bedded down
for my first night in my new regiment, the First Royal Scots Fusiliers.
- The
next morning, myself and two other were marched to the Cambridge
Hospital for examination, and after passing the inspection, were taken
to the orderly room, and sworn in and posted to H company, on March
11th, 1895. This made an absence of six days, but I was still guilty of
the crime of fraudulent enlistment, which carried a very heavy
punishment.
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This document and others confirm Edward Groves's subsequent fraudulent
enlistment into the Royal Scots Fusiliers in Aldershot, on 11th March, 1895. |
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This document and others confirm Edward Groves's subsequent fraudulent
enlistment into the Royal Scots Fusiliers in Aldershot, on 11th March, 1895. |
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Edward
Groves
serves in India. During the voyage he is promoted to Lance Corporal.
Much of his time is spent in the North-West Frontier region of what is now
in Pakistan.
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We sailed from Southampton in September, 1896, and my dear old mum and
sister Mag were both at the dockside and I was allowed to spend a few
minutes talking to them before embarking. The ship was named "Dilwara".
I was promoted to Lance Corporal during the unforgettable voyage lasting
22 days and on arrival in Bombay harbour was put in charge of squad of
three men.
- Our brigade,
consisting of the Gordon Highlanders, Dorset Regiment, Royal Irish
Regiment and 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers, was ordered to march through the
Afridi country, called Tirah.
- We left Lundi Kotal and commenced the march
through the Khyber Pass, with advance guard, flank guards and a rear
guard. As the pass was still in the hands of the Afridis, they kept us
on our toes until we reached the half way camp, the fort at Ali Masjid,
where we halted for the night.
In December 1898, an incident arises where he is
bitten by a small spaniel that had "gone mad" and is recommended for
vaccination against rabies, at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. After
treatment, he visits the family in England and returns to the address in
Neal Street, St. Giles in the Fields. |
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- We
reached Newhaven at 4 p.m. and embarked on the London express which was
standing on a platform beside the docks. My instructions were that I
should report to Thos. Cook & Son on reaching London, for further orders,
but as it was too late to call at their offices, I decided to go home and
see my people first. So I left Charing Cross Station, crossed the Strand,
along St. Martin's Lane, and down Neal Street - HOME! What a
feeling! Sister Mag was out sweeping the pavements when she spotted
me walking down the street. She dropped her broom and rushed into the
house calling "Mother, here's Ed!"
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Edward
Groves requests a transfer to the regimental depot in Ayr, Scotland. Upon
arrival, he is immediately granted leave, which he spends in London.
Note: The 1901 census record indicates Margaret Groves as being "married",
though the memoirs refer to her as "widowed" around that time. |
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- I
did not show my eagerness and told him (Major Frere) that I had a
widowed mother who would be glad to see me. He then gave me six weeks
furlough on condition that I took over the mess (at Ayr) on completion.
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Having three brothers working in theatres, I was able to get
complimentary tickets to a good many shows, and at quite a few I went back
stage, being introduced to various actors and actresses and generally
having a very good time, until brother Bill had an argument with a
policeman one night when we were all leaving a pub at closing time. The
policeman gave Bill a hard shove and Bill resented this and gave
the policeman a fourpenny one.
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After
serving at the Ayr depot for three months, he makes acquaintance with a one
Janet Lawson Wyllie [Birth certificate traced]. He is promoted
to full corporal. |
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After a couple of months I decided, with Jessie's permission, to
ask her father's sanction to marry, but he thought that we had not known
each other long enough, so suggested that we wait for another three
months. But this did not suit me, and after telling him that I loved his
daughter and that she loved me, and that we intended to marry as soon as
possible with or without his consent, I spoke to Mrs. Wyllie, who had a
word or two with the old gentleman, resulting in our arranging to marry in
a month. I applied for permission to marry at the orderly room, and this
was granted, but as no married quarters were available, I would have to
live out. The regimental conditions were that a soldier must have at least
five years service and five pounds in a savings bank. So, on a pay of one
and three pence a day and in September, we were married at the Free
Gardiners' Hall in Ayr.
- I
had written to my mother as soon as we decided on our marriage, and she,
with sister Mag and brother Andrew, came up from London to
look over the bride to be and attend the wedding. She was perfectly
satisfied with her future daughter-in-law, although she told me when I met
her on the train that I ought to have sought a wife from my own town. She
eventually became very fond of my choice.
- I was promoted full corporal
and on the same day that my promotion was in Depot Orders, I was called
to the Ante Room where I found all the officers present and was handed a
beautiful French regulator clock with all the officers names engraved on
it.
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After
the wedding and on a regimental pass, they visit London. |
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That night with my wife, mother, brother and sister, we boarded the London
train, whilst a good crowd of Scots relations and friends gathered to see
us off. Arrived at Euston Station
the
next morning at 6, we hired a four-wheeler (cab) and drove home to find
them all expecting us and with breakfast waiting. My wife won the hearts
of all who met her, and with her Scots accent and dainty figure she
completely captivated my elder brothers and their wives.
- My
brother Tom had brought us two complimentary tickets for seats in
the old Gaiety Theatre to see "The Shop Girl". Before taking our seats Tom
arranged to meet me at the pub, which we did, but we took longer over it
than we should have. When I returned, I found the curtain up and the
second act in progress and I could not very well get to my seat which was
right in the centre, without disturbing others. I stood at the back
waiting for a chance that never came. As the final curtain fell, I rushed
for the door and was out with the first rush, meeting brother Tom waiting
for us to come out. Whilst chatting, my wife passed us in the crowd
without being seen by Tom or me, and stood on the kerb nearby waiting for
me. Not having yet seen her, Tom and I made our way quickly inside, but
only the cleaners were left, covering the seats with the dust sheets. We
were beginning to feel desperate by then, and commenced to run around the
block, and just as I turned the corner into Southampton Street,
from the Strand, I saw my wife standing on the edge of the pavement
sobbing bitterly with a big fat policeman standing near her. I went
quickly to her side and pacified her as well as I was able, explaining to
the policeman what had happened. He was most apologetic and told me that
he had watched the girl standing at the theatre exit scanning the crowds
as they came out and when asked what she was waiting for, replied that she
was waiting for her husband. When asked where she lived, she could not
tell him, as she had not the foggiest idea, could not even tell him in
what direction it lay, and so he concluded that she was up to no good and
moved her on. Tom joined the party and began to shoot his neck out at the
policeman, so we called a cab and drove home. My wife was so distressed
over this incident, that she would not let me leave her for a moment
whenever we were out together after that, and the remainder of our leave
passed without further trouble.
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Edward
and Janet Lawson Groves live in Ayr for at least a couple of years, sons Tom
and George Hugh being born there in 1902 and 1903 respectively [Birth certificates
traced]. He is promoted to Lance-Sergeant. |
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As I possessed all
the necessary certificates for promotion, earned in the Battalion, I was
appointed Lance-Sergeant a month before my first son, Tom, was born.
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My son
Tom began to crawl about the mess and became a worry to his mother
and me, for we could scarcely keep him penned in the small bed room we
used, and most of his time was spent in the kitchen, where he was taught
all sorts of tricks by the mess servants. His favourite spot was in a huge
iron coal box kept below the stairs and most times when he was missing he
could be found half buried in coal and covered completely with coal dust.
It was in this state that I found him one day, sitting in the middle of
the Ante Room, when the bell rang and I went to answer it. What a sight
met my eyes! Tom sitting there, enjoying his surroundings and four or five
officers roaring with laughter, one officer remarking to me as I entered
"Good God, Sergeant Groves, what is that!" I picked Tom up and put him
under my arm and said "This is my big son Sir," and took him down stairs,
handing him over to his mum who gave him a spanking and a good wash, but
we never completely cured him of his love of coal.
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Shortly
after the birth of their second son, George Hugh, Edward Groves decides to return to the
Regiment in India. It is not clear precisely when but during this period he
is promoted once more, as he is referred to as "Sergeant Groves". |
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It soon
became clear that Tom was going to have a playmate, and I began to
realise that the work in the kitchen was keeping my wife tied down too
much, but she dreaded me telling the officers, that she wanted to leave,
as she had become very much liked. In fact, the combination of a good cook
and a caterer that knew his job was something not easily obtained in depot
messes. After talking it over many times between ourselves and her
parents, I decided to volunteer to go back to India, as soon after her
confinement as possible.
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My
second son came along in a hurry, 10 days before we expected him, and a
lusty brute he was, with a shock of dark hair and a pair of lungs that
shook the wall pictures. We were glad to get him out of the mess, into his
grandparent's place, where we stayed a couple of weeks before leaving.
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The only known
photograph of "ma" Groves, possibly taken outside the greengrocer owned by
her in London, in the vicinity of Cornwall Street, near Waterloo Station.
Here she is flanked by Louie (Louisa King) (*), future wife of Andrew Groves
(*) and one of her sons, Tom Groves, the eldest brother of Ed Groves, my
grandfather. Also in the photograph is Sue, believed to be Susan Margaret
Groves, the only daughter of Margaret Joan Groves (*). It is she who, after
marrying a one Arthur Bottomley, goes missing during WWII, presumably during
a bombing raid.
Two photos of Edward's sister Margaret
Joan Groves, who later settled in Hendon, North London and became a dresser
to English stage actress, Margaret Yarde.
Thomas, the
eldest son of Edward Groves, with his first-born in this playful scene,
probably taken in Milngavie, Glasgow.
* Revised 2023 |
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Prior to
leaving Ayr for India in 1902, Edward's brothers pay them a visit from London. |
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Before leaving Ayr, four of my brothers wrote saying that they would like
to spend a few days with me before I left, and I sent a telegram and
received a reply saying that they would leave the following morning,
reaching Ayr station at 9 p.m. I engaged rooms with friends I had near the
barracks, and arranged for them to feed in the sergeant's mess. I met them
at the station, brothers Tom, Jack, Bill and
Andrew, AND Uncle George Wells. After supper a sing-song was held at
which brother Jack excelled and we all in turn had to do something.
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Several
years are spent in India and Burma with the Regiment, until 1909. It is in
Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar), where daughter Jessie Lawson is born.
According to records found, the year was 1909 however Edward Groves is
uncertain of the exact year in his memoirs. |
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Margaret Joan Groves, born in 1904, was christened at St. Paul's convent by a Roman
Catholic priest, a married corporal and his wife standing as god-parents
and very soon after, the companies were ordered to return to Allahabad.
With many regrets we bade farewell to this delightful life and after the
various changes, reached our station to find that we were under orders for
a change from Allahabad to Bareilly, circa 1906.
- On
March 12th (1906
1909), my wife went across to the hospital and gave birth to
another fine little girl baby. She was christened at the Presbyterian
church in town by the Rev. Mr. Drysdale, and named Jessie Lawson,
the latter half being taken from an aunt of her mother's.
- At
Christmas time, 1909, our daughter Mag was taken to hospital
on the 23rd with a mild attack of malaria, and this caused a general
feeling of depression, as we had made great preparations to give them such
a party they would always remember. On the morning of Christmas, I went to
see the matron in the hospital, who told me that Mag was much
better and that we could steal her out of the ward, while she was at a
party in her own quarters, but we must promise to have her well wrapped in
blankets and be sure to bring her back by 10 o'clock. That is what we did,
and did they enjoy themselves. The next morning the doctor said she could
leave, and we carried her home across the road with trumpets and drums
making a din. A few days after Christmas I had news that my name was
included in a batch of long service sergeants for home leave, and did I
want to take it.
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The wives of the regiment's soldiers in India. Janet Lawson Groves (born
Wyllie) in striped blouse, pictured middle row seated, with son George Hugh,
born 1902, at her side. The eldest son, Thomas Edward, born 1902, is in the
bottom right of the photograph.
A stunning Janet Lawson Groves, seated
right, flanked by daughter Margaret, born 1904 in Darjeeling, West Bengal.
Seated in front are Thomas Edward and George Hugh. |
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More photos from India.
A studio photo of the eldest
offspring of Edward and Janet Lawson Groves, in India - Tom, Margaret Joan and George
Hugh.
Janet Lawson Wyllie, pictured once more with the children - Margaret Joan,
Tom and George Hugh (front). |
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Edward
and Janet Lawson return to Cornwall Road, London, where the family are now
based. |
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- We
reached Waterloo station and the military police swooped on us for not
wearing our waistbelts. These being public property, had to be left behind
with our other equipment - rifles, packs, etc., and I told them they could
go to Rangoon
to find
mine. He took my name and number, but I heard no more about it. We got a
four-wheeler cab and I packed my wife and Jessie in with the luggage, told
the cabby where to go and with the two boys and Mag, walked the
short distance to Cornwall Road where my mother
lived.
The five minutes walk took us nearly 20 minutes and my people were
beginning to wonder what had happened, and when we turned into our street,
there was a combined shout of "Here they come", and a rush of sisters and
brothers to escort us home. My dear old mother
was in
tears, and would not let the children out of her sight. More brothers and
sisters-in-law arrived and the house, which was on the small side, was
jammed.
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They
also visit the Wyllie family in Glasgow. It is in the year or two leading up
to
1911 that Edward's mother Margaret relocates to The Vine Hotel in Goudhurst, Kent. |
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- I
received a letter from my mother saying that she had an opportunity of
buying a pub and could I possibly come down to advise her about it. I left
the family staying with her people and caught the night train down. I
found them all very excited and heard all about it in a very short time.
The pub was called the Vine Hotel,
in Goudhurst, Kent, and we all knew it very well, as a busy
little place, especially during the hop picking season. Having decided on
a life in the country, my sister Mag, brother Andrew and I,
went down the next day and after a talk we arranged to take over the place
for 400 pds, after a valuation had been made. We went to the police court
and made sure there would be no obstacle about the transfer, saw the
brewers who were perfectly satisfied with us, and put up for the night at
the Three Bells. We sat yarning in the bar until closing time and fixed up
with the boss for the beds as we intended catching an early train to
London. We were up very early and before leaving, made up two dummies in
our beds and left without wakening anyone. We heard plenty about those
dummies later. We had a rough check of the stock in the small grocery
shop that my mother
had,
and we got a satisfactory offer from a nearby grocer, who cleared us out
the next day. We next engaged a furniture removal firm and they packed
everything we had into a large pantechnicon and railed it to Goudhurst
from where it was drawn to the village and unpacked into the Vine Hotel,
which we had taken over the previous day. The two valuers had been round
the stock and furnishings with brother Andrew and I, and we were
both well satisfied with everything and became publicans. This all took
place about six weeks before the hop picking commenced, and we had these
few days in which to get acclimatised to the trade.
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[Note: According to Goudhurst history
material, T. James Thurgood was landlord in 1881 and 1891 and probably
from about 1867 until his death in 1895. In 1901, the landlord was John
Barrow and his wife Bessie. Although Barrow did not die until 1932 he
appears to have given up the Vine by 1915. It is not certain when Barrow
took over the Vine, various anecdotes in the Goudhurst Coronation (1937)
and Jubilee (1935) books say he was there 10 or 20 years, so it is
possible he took over from Thurgood. Apart from a note which says
Groves ran the Vine there is no definite information regarding them in
the above mentioned books, the only thing which is indicated is that they
seem to have come after Barrow and before Popplewell (whoever he was ) and
Dench - E A Dench was landlord by 1927 according to the Goudhurst entry in
the Kent Kelly's Directory. Street directories in Tunbridge Wells
reference library has a 1911 entry for an A. Groves at the Vine
Hotel. This is the only time Groves is listed, but they
must have taken over from Barrow as he is included in the 1908 directory,
there isn't one for 1909, and 1910 has no entry for the Vine. Someone
called M. Ticehurst followed Groves, 1912 -1914. - Courtesy Gill Joye,
Goudhurst Parish Historical Society.] The entry for A.Groves possibly
refers to Andrew Groves.
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Edward
Groves returns to the Regiment in India and Rangoon, Burma, whilst the family remain in Glasgow.
The Regiment is gazetted for a move to South Africa six months later and he reaches Durban,
Natal, one early morning in January, 1910. This
being the case, it implies that his assistance in helping the family move to Goudhurst, Kent must have taken place at least six months earlier, in 1909. During this period
that he is away from the family, Joan Gebbie is born, in Glasgow, in 1911.
It is assumed his wife and family join him shortly after that. |
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- I
began to hear rumours of the return of my wife and children, and spent
some time cleaning up in the house and putting things in shape. I had
almost forgotten to mention the increase that had occurred in our family.
This happened three months after I had left Glasgow, when Joan Gebbie
Groves was introduced to the world.
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Edward
Groves is based with the Regiment at Roberts Heights in Pretoria, South
Africa. Sheila is born there in 1912. |
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- It
was shortly after this (Torch Light Tattoo) that my wife had to go to
hospital in the usual hurry, and the following day another daughter was
born. Her name was bestowed on her by the Irish nurse attending my wife,
who suggested "Why not call her Sheila", and so this bonnie wee thing
became Sheila Groves.
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Groves family photographs. Janet Lawson surrounded Thomas, the eldest son
(left), Maggie, the eldest daughter (rear), Jessie (right) and little Joan,
born 1911. Photograph circa 1911, Scotland.
This photograph was probably
taken at Roberts Heights, Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa. (L to R) George
(rear), Jessie (front), baby Sheila, born at Robert's Heights in 1912, Joan,
Thomas and Margaret. |
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More family photos. (L to R) (Rear) Thomas, mother Janet Lawson, Jessie,
father Edward and George. (Front) Baby Sheila, Margaret and Joan. This
photograph may have either have been taken at Robert's Heights or in
Scotland. George and Tom
in their kilts and glengarry hats, uniform of the Queen Victoria School in
Dunblane - location of photograph unknown. |
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Yet more family
photos. Margaret Joan Groves, the eldest daughter.
Mother Janet Lawson with the three
girls, holding little Joan with Maggie (left) and Jessie (right).
The Knights
family, Mrs Knight with her husband, who was the Band Sergeant for the Royal
Scots Fusiliers Regiment, with little Violet, who later married George, the
second son of Edward and Janet Lawson. George and Violet had been playmates
together as children. |
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Edward
Groves is awarded his long service medal after 18 years service, probably
around 1911. He leaves South Africa and returns to the United Kingdom in 1914, a journey by
sea lasting 18 days. Soon after his arrival at Gosport, he is promoted to
colour sergeant. There is no further mention in the memoirs of his mother,
Margaret Groves, the last being at the time of the family's move from central London to the Vine Hotel in Goudhurst.
Since Edward Groves had left the family environment in 1910,
it is reckoned that she had passed away in 1912. |
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I now
became entitled to my Long Service and Good Conduct medal, after having
dodged all obstacles for eighteen years and this cost me a drink round the
sergeants' mess. Later when it was confirmed from Whitehall, and published
in Battalion Orders, another drink! And finally on the day of the
presentation before a whole brigade of troops, the medal was pinned on by
the G.O.C. and FINAL DRINKS!
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The
news had leaked out that the regiment would be leaving South Africa during
the trooping season of 1914; this was confirmed by a notice in Battalion
Orders, but so far, no idea of where we were going.
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The
voyage was a very rough one and we suffered a lot of seasickness which
resulted in Tom, George and myself having to carry the girls
up on deck from their cabin every day. It was particularly bad on the last
few days and everyone kept below deck, and the hatches were all battened
down. The ship rolled so much that cabin trunks would slide from one side
to the other and the rattle of enameled plates and mugs could be heard all
day and night, and we were a most thankful crowd to reach the end of a
most exciting voyage.
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On arrival at Gosport I had to
attend to the loading of the mess kit on to the transport wagons, but
first saw the families leave for the new barracks. After considering
everything and talking things over with my wife, I made up my mind to
leave the mess and take the Colours. If I allowed myself to remain as
mess sergeant any longer, I found that I would not qualify for a full
pension, as to obtain that, one had to hold the rank of colour sergeant
for at least the last twelve months of service, and I was very near to
this. And so it was that I was taken before my old friend colonel
Douglas-Smith again. When he heard my application, he agreed at once
that it was time that I was promoted and gave orders for a successor to
be found as soon possible, as a vacancy for a colour sergeant would
occur in a few days.
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Tom and
George are sent to The Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, Scotland. |
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- At
this time, too, we had a reminder from the Queen Victoria school at
Dunblane, that a number of vacancies had been kept open for boys of our
regiment. This was entirely a military school, for training sons of
soldiers to become N.C.O.’s and while in South Africa,
notification was published in Battalion orders that a number of vacancies
were available and calling for nominations. These were soon taken up, and
the names were sent from South Africa to the school, Tom and George being
among those chosen. Now it was time for the boys to join the school, and I
was selected to conduct the party. I did not enjoy it one little bit, as I
was taking a number of boys, with whom I had been closely associated since
their babyhood, and had played games with them, taken them on trek and
spent a good deal of my spare time amusing them, and I did not like very
much the idea of suddenly being parted from them.
|
Edward
Groves serves in Belgium, during the First World War. |
|
- War
was declared between Great Britain and Germany on August 4th, 1914, and
every day after that, training became harder and each day found me at the
Q.M. Stores taking delivery of war stores and equipment.
- We
found the men a bit difficult at first, many of them going to hospital
with minor complaints after spending too many hours in the regimental
canteen, but on the 13th August, when we marched to war, the whole
battalion, nearly a thousand strong, passed a group of M.O.'s and not a
single man was pronounced unfit.
- I
had already spent two hours with my wife and family trying without much
success to ease the load from her heart. We all realised what we were up
against, for this war had been brewing for some years, and we knew that we
were going out to fight against the finest European army that had ever
existed, and my wife told me later that when I left that day, she thought
she had said good-bye to me forever!
|
|
|
Sometime
after 6th September, 1914, Edward Groves is wounded in battle, around Mons,
a coal-mining town. |
|
- The
enemy attacked furiously and their gunners found our range, and were
sending hundreds of high explosive shell over, and causing heavy
casualties, and whilst lying in the open trying to stem their infantry
attack, I felt a dull thud on the left leg, and looking back to see what
it was, found my puttee ripped off my leg, and a ghastly wound there.
|
-
A
letter from home at last! My family had been hurriedly evacuated from
Gosport barracks, and had taken refuge at my sister Mag's house.
This happened to all the married families as the quarters were required to
accommodate the new Kitchener army, which was being organised by the
thousands of men, who were volunteering for service. My wife told me in
her letter how concerned they all were when they read in the casualty list
that I was DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED, but my letter eased their minds
considerably.
|
- We
were told off in parties to the various V.A.D. hospitals, our names, etc.,
taken, and rushed off in taxis, and it was all over in a few minutes. I
was taken to a girls' college in Pimlico, which was in grounds enclosed by
large iron railings, and as soon as I found out the proper address, I sent
a wire to my wife, who came to see me the next day, and brought (the
children) Mag, Jessie, Joan and Sheila.
|
After
treatment lasting several days, he is discharged.
It is interesting to note that Edward Groves states in
his memoirs, after his return from the war front in Belgium and France
during WWI, having sustained an injury, that “Alf was away with the Royal
Welsh Fusiliers, and was killed before I could meet him.” The military
records of Alfred Groves paint a different, tragic picture however. He
survives the Great War but succumbs to a self-inflicted illness that leads
to disability and his death sometime after the 8th April 1919,. Was the
reality of his brother Alfred’s condition hidden from Edward or was the
shame within the family too great to bear and therefore concealed. We shall
never know. |
|
- I
met my brothers, Tom and Andrew; Alf was away with
the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was killed before I could meet him. I made
the most of my leave, and managed to get the two boys, Tom and George,
down from the Dunblane
School
for a few days, which we spent doing the sights of London.
I felt at this time that it would not be hard to get them away from the
Queen Victoria School, as there would be many soldiers' widows who would
welcome such a chance for their sons, and I could feel, in my talks with
the boys, that they were not in love with the place. I told them I would
try this, as soon as I was settled, and they went back more happily.
- I attended the hospital every
morning, at 10 a.m., was dressed and told how well the wound was
healing, and on the eighth day, I was given my discharge.
|
Edward
Groves is recommended for the appointment of Regimental Sgt. Major to a
large Convalescent camp in Alnwick, Northumberland, where the youngest of
the eight children, is born in Lesbury, 4 miles away. |
|
- John Forbes, the acting
C.O., with whom I had been closely associated for over 20 years, always
had a high opinion of my work. I stood at the orderly verandah waiting
my turn when the Sgt. Major roared out "Col. Sgt. Groves, shun! Right
turn, quick march", and I stood at attention facing Major Forbes who,
with a smile on his face said "Col. Sgt. Groves, I have been asked by
Northern Command to recommend a reliable and trustworthy N.C.O. for the
appointment of Regimental Sgt. Major to a large Convalescent camp in
Northumberland, and with the utmost confidence, I have selected you; how
do you consider it?" Without hesitation, I thanked him for this
confidence in me, and promised to do my best to deserve it.
- I went back to camp, and
found a message from the Sgt. Major, addressed "Sgt. Major E. Groves -
Proceed Alnwick Convalescent camp early as possible - Rail warrant
attached".
- I
had almost forgotten to mention that before leaving (Lesbury), our
youngest son elected to be born there! He does not remember anything about
this beautiful old-world village, but I can assure him that if ever he has
the good fortune to visit it, I am certain he will fall in love with it.
He was christened inside the cottage from a large cut glass bowl by the
local Padre and named Edward Archibald Groves. And what a load he
was!
|
|
The Groves
family in Northumberland. Janet Lawson holds the youngest in her arms, my
father Edward Archibald Groves, with Jessie and Mary ti her right and Sheila
and Margaret to her left, Joan in front.
Meldon cottage, Lesbury, circa
1917. Along with the eldest of the family, Margaret Groves, and Joan Groves,
are the six boys from Queen Victoria School, Dunblane, Scotland, these being
Alfred Osborne, George Groves (front, extreme left), Thomas Groves (back
row, second from right), Alfred Trout, David Mitchell, and George Mitchell.
The Roman water pump, a listed building, lies to the left of the cottage,
which is one of 3 semi-detached cottages, the others being Rose and Jasmin
cottages. I first discovered my father's birthplace in 1988, documented
here but then
returned again in 2004, to photograph the home - click
here. |
|
|
|
The six boys of Dunblane,
including Tom and George, sons of Edward Groves, as well as daughter Maggie,
were incorporated into an acrobatics and tumbling team which formed part of
the entertainment of the troops organised by my grandfather as Regimental
Sergeant-Major at Alnwick Convalescent Camp. The photograph also shows their
trainer, Fizzer Brown. During my first visit to Alnwick in 1988, I was able
to discover articles from the Alnwick and County Gazette, a local newspaper,
referring to my grandfather in his time at the camp. These extracts are
included here.
The six boys of Dunblane,
including Tom and George, sons of Edward Groves, with two of the women from
the W.A.A.C.(Women's Army Auxiliary Corps).
The six boys of Dunblane at the
Alnwick Convalescent Camp huts. |
|
|
Tom
and George are moved from the Queen Victoria School in Dunblane to the Duke
of Northumberland School in Alnwick. |
|
-
I
asked the Colonel's permission to bring six boys from Dunblane
for
a holiday camp, first having obtained permission from the Commandant of
the school, and he placed a hut at their disposal, with a full blown
Sgt. to look after them, and the boys had a great time, paying an
occasional visit to Lesbury. They also put on a rather good show at
several concerts, when they did physical drill, boxing and wrestling. It
was shortly after this holiday that Tom and George
returned home for good, and they were not sorry! They were both taken
into the Duke of Northumberland's
school, which school, until then, had admitted boys of the country, but
with a little help from Mrs. Riddell and the Duke's Chaplain, Canon
Mangin, the crusty old Duke was persuaded to break the rule, and both
Tom and George did very well there.
|
The family
are moved from Lesbury to Narrowgate, Alnwick (just behind Alnwick Castle),
to be closer to where Edward Groves is located at the Alnwick Convalescent
Camp. The memoirs do not mention the birth of the youngest daughter Mary,
who was born in Glasgow prior to the move to Alnwick. |
|
-
The
W.A.A.C.(Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) began to come into existence as
cooks, waitresses and other duties, and I thought we were going to have
some trouble, but orders were issued that no man could be allowed to
speak to a woman on the camp roads. Several men who broke this rule were
punished, but the order gradually lapsed especially when seats were
booked together in the cinema.
-
New
quarters were built at the top of the camp for these women, and a new
hut was built for warrant officers, containing five separate rooms. I
think Tom, George and Mag will remember this, as
they were often inside. As I was beginning to find myself tied to the
camp, and not being able to get to Lesbury as often as I wished, I began
to look for a suitable house in Alnwick, and found a satisfactory one in
Narrowgate, which would become vacant at the month end.
-
Our
youngest daughter Mary, was taken suddenly very ill with severe
bronchitis, and a Capt. McGill of the R.A.M.C. came out by car to attend
to her. It was snowing heavily at the time, and he rigged a steam kettle
beside Mary's bed, and the doctor, with Mum and I, sat through
the night at her bedside. The following day saw a decided improvement
and Dr. McGill considered she could be left with safety in her Mother's
good hands, and returned to camp. He visited us daily for several days,
but Mary never looked back, and when we moved to our new house, she was
as fit as a fiddle.
|
|
The family at an
open-day event at the camp. (L to R) George, Tom, Joan, Jessie and Sheila
(slightly out of picture).
The six boys from Dunblane on the
hillside near Alnwick Castle and the Alnwick Convalescent Camp, including
George and Tom, along with two of the sisters, Jessie and Joan. Seated front
left is my father, Edward Archibald. |
|
|
|
A family
photograph at Alnwick Castle. (L to R) George (rear), Sheila, Jessie, Mary,
Margaret, Edward Archilbald, George (rear) and Joan.
This priceless photograph shows
Thomas Groves in uniform, at a fireplace, with ornaments on the mantelpiece.
This photo is thought to have been taken at Meldon cottage in Lesbury or at
the home on Narrowgate, Alnwick. |
|
|
An
armistice is signed on 11th November, 1918. Soon after Edward Groves is
amongst those dramatically pensioned off!
Tom
and George leave home to join the service. |
|
-
During this period an army order was published stating that all men in
receipt of a pension should be discharged immediately, and their places
filled by serving men of equal rank, and as I had become pensionable
during the war, this order affected me very much. I was now faced with the
task of competing with thousands of younger men who would soon be flooding
the streets, looking for work which would all be so strange to me after 25
years of my life spent in the army. We had absolutely nothing in the way
of furniture, and except for the little bit my wife had wisely put into
the Post Office savings bank, we were due for a bad crash.
- A
short time before this happened, Tom and George had decided to leave home
to join the service. Tom chose the R.A.F. and George the Royal Navy, and
both had passed their entrance examinations some time previously.
|
Edward
Groves decides that there are no prospects in England and resorts to moving to
South Africa, after being contacted by an army associate. He bids farewell
to the family in London. His brothers Tom
and Andrew try and persuade him to stay. Both sisters Margaret and "Louis"
(maiden name Louisa King, wife of Andrew) are residing at Walworth Road at
the time,
close to Elephant and Castle. (As it turns out later, this address is his first port of call upon his
first return to England many years later, in 1946. The address of "188
Walworth Road" is also cited in the military records of Andrew Groves
however the fact that he served in WWI is not mentioned in the memoirs of
Edward Groves). The decision is taken for him to go out to South Africa
alone, with the family following later. |
|
- I
left the camp for the last time, and became, for the first time in my
life, one of the millions of unemployed! I had my pension and wound
gratuity, which proved most useful, and had a whole week's holiday with
the family before looking for another job.
- I
received a letter from Col. E.I.D. Gordon, who was farming in South
Africa. I had been associated with this officer for many years in my old
regiment, and we had known each other very well. He wrote from Elgin in
the Cape Province, pointing out that there were prospects in this growing
community for a man of my ability to run a general dealer's business
together with a licensed inn. He said he had an option on such a place and
considered I should do very well there.
-
Meanwhile the thoughts of the probability of our being back in the
sunshine again and away from the ever present cold, fog and slush of
England, buoyed us up and made work seem lighter. We talked it over with
Tom and George, who, I thought, would grieve at our leaving,
but I was gratified to learn that they were both in favour of us taking up
the offer, and there and then we made the decision, and I got in touch
with the overseas Settlement Association.
- I
had decided to go out alone and find out personally what the actual
prospects were, and then cable to my wife in a code which we
arranged, whatever I thought she should do. The second letter from Col.
Gordon arrived and as the contents made satisfactory reading, we decided
to carry out our original plan.
- I
left Chester
for
London four days before sailing and stayed with my sister and Louis
in Walworth Road. My
brothers, Tom and Andrew, did everything to try and persuade
me to alter my mind, about leaving, but
by now I was thoroughly set on carrying out what I had undertaken, that
nothing they said made the slightest impression.
|
|
Andrew Groves
enlists with the British Army on 21 June 1916 and joins the Northumberland
Fusiliers. |
|
|
|
An important
military document noting the marriage of Andrew Groves to spouse Louisa King
on 30th June 1911 in Cranbrook (near Goudhurst, where the Vine Hotel is
located). It also cites their current address as "188 Walworth Road" and
lists the birth dates of their two children, William Thomas and Margaret
Louisa. Further military documents reveal that he sees out the war and is
officially demobilized without claiming disability on 29th May 1919. |
|
|
Edward
Groves arrives in Cape Town by boat and is accompanied to the village of
Elgin, roughly 42 miles from the city at the tip of southern Africa. His
first impressions of the village of Grabouw, where the family were to
settle, are not favourable. The family arrive later by boat and are
transported to Grabouw, where they settle down well. Edward Groves then
purchases land in Grabouw and proceeds to build a hotel. |
|
-
......we eventually sailed into Cape Town
docks, where I found a telegram from Col. Gordon telling me he would
meet me the next morning, and saying he had booked a room for me at a
hotel in Long Street.
-
On arrival at Elgin, we were met by the District Forest Officer, Mr.
Elder, who drove us to Grabouw
, the
village that was to become my home, and I find it difficult to analyse
my thoughts after my first glance at the place. We stopped at the
Travellers' Rest and Grabouw Stores, which I had been appointed to
manage, and this seemed at first to be the only building in sight, but
on walking around with Mr. Elder, I found a branch Post Office tucked
away in a corner room, and a few yards away on one side was a small
church. A small school existed, and about four nondescript houses, and
one side of what was called the Market Square. Not a very appetising
picture for a newcomer.
-
I
sent a cable in code, telling my wife that "everything was fine,
and to come as soon as possible", and I heard later that they were not
long in packing the things they intended bringing and selling up the
remainder on which they lost heavily.
-
The
arrival of my family took me to Cape Town, where I engaged a lorry with
a trailer to carry them and the baggage out to Grabouw, and what a load
it was. We found when we reached Sir Lowry's Pass that the lorry with
the trailer could not manage the climb, and so the trailer was uncoupled
and left at the Sir Lowry Hotel, whilst the lorry took the family on to
Grabouw. After disembarking them, we had to drive all the way back to
pick up the trailer, which was loaded with all our kit. I found, on
checking, that we had lost a roll of carpets, rugs and a gold mounted
presentation walking stick, and although many enquiries were made, these
articles never came to light again.
-
The
family all settled down well, my wife having taken over the
Travellers' Rest, and with the help of her eldest daughter Mag,
became popular, so that business there became very brisk, and our Inn
was frequently full up. I was concerned principally with the Grabouw
Stores, which, in those days, had a turnover of about 600 pounds a
month, and was open from 6 a.m. until all hours at night, generally
around 10 p.m.
-
As
our lease on the Travellers' Rest was running out, we decided to move to
another spot close by and build a new hotel with the object of trying to
obtain a liquor license for the place. It was at one time our intention
to buy the old place and rebuild on this, but on the advice of a friend,
Mr. McVey, who told me it would cost much less to build a completely new
hotel, and added to this the fact that the owners were asking far too
much, we bought six plots of ground at 6 pounds each and borrowed 1500
pounds from the Caledon Board of Executors, and proceeded to draw up our
plans.
|
Edward
Groves purchases land in Grabouw and proceeds to build a hotel, known as
Forrester's Cottage. His eldest daughter Margaret marries Edward Schmidt and
their first child, "Miff", is born. They are then forced to leave Grabouw. |
|
-
As
our lease on the Travellers' Rest was running out, we decided to move to
another spot close by and build a new hotel with the object of trying to
obtain a liquor license for the place. It was at one time our intention
to buy the old place and rebuild on this, but on the advice of a friend,
Mr. McVey, who told me it would cost much less to build a completely new
hotel, and added to this the fact that the owners were asking far too
much, we bought six plots of ground at 6 pounds each and borrowed 1500
pounds from the Caledon Board of Executors, and proceeded to draw up our
plans.
-
Later
several parties were held in the Forester's Cottage, where their first
son, Miff, was born. About this name of Miff, and how it came
about, this is the correct solution. When only two years old, and whilst
at the Queens Hotel, Somerset West, a woman boarder was very fond of
chasing him about the hotel, and after catching him, would demand his
name. All that he could answer was sort of vague corruption of Schmidt,
which sounded much like Miff, and this is what he was christened,
and it has stuck like glue ever since. This paragraph is a little before
its time, as shortly after Miff's appearance on the scene, we
were forced to leave Grabouw
.
|
The family
are then forced to leave Grabouw when Edward Groves encounters opposition
from a local farming lobby in obtaining a liquor licence and fails to do so
at great cost. In addition, the Grabouw Stores where he is employed is also
sold by Colonel Gordon. He is promised financial support to enable him to
buy the Queen's Hotel in Somerset West but that also falls through. In the
interim the family have moved to Somerset West, a seaside town on the Cape
Town side of the Hottentots Holland mountains. He finds a job at a factory
in The Strand, another
seaside town a few miles away. |
|
The
family move to the seaside town of The Strand, just outside Cape Town, into
the home fondly remembered for years to come as "Everest". I had previously always
assumed that the second eldest son George had never set foot in South
Africa, have carved out a career in the Navy in England. This is not true.
In fact he and Violet came out to South Africa and were married are
"Everest". |
|
-
Here I should mention that living such a long way from my work, I
decided to look about for a house nearer to the factory, and my
attention was drawn to a house called "Everest", owned by a Mr. Logemann,
Chief Chemist at the factory, and which had been standing empty for some
months. I approached the owner, and obtained the key, and having a day
off work, Mum and I went together to inspect it. The name
"Everest" at once intrigued us both, for had we not looked on this
famous mountain often whilst living at Darjeeling, and after looking
over the rooms, and noting the gorgeous view, surrounding the place, we
decided to take it providing the rent was reasonable, and as this was
quoted at 6 pounds per month, plus water rates, we jumped at the chance,
and never had cause to regret it, for have we not lived here
continuously ever since 1928, and as I write, the year is 1957.
-
Our
first exciting happening at "Everest"
was the marriage of George to his sweetheart ofsome year standing
- Violet Knights. They had been playmates together whilst we were
in the Regiment, as also had been Tom and Jean Wallace.
Jean's father was the Pipe Major, and Violet's Dad was the Band
Sergeant.
|
Janet Lawson
Groves tragically passes away at "Everest" in 1930 at the tender age of
49. |
|
- And
now I come to the greatest tragedy that happened during the whole of my
life - this was the very sudden passing of my dearly beloved wife. . I
carried Mum out to the car and held her on my lap until we reached
the old Somerset Hospital, where she was put to bed, and I was allowed to
sit beside her during the whole of that day, and right through the night,
and all that I could do during this time was to feed her with sips of
orange juice. It was an eerie vigil, but I was most thankful for being
allowed to be there until the last, which happened at daybreak. I then
returned to home at Everest and shut myself in my room for a couple of
days, and I was so utterly and completely broken up, and nothing or nobody
could give me the comfort I had lost.
|
George
and Violet return to England after the death of their Mom. Tom, who was
living in South Africa at the time, decides to return to Scotland to marry
Jean Ogilvey Wallace, on 18th July, 1930, taking residence in Milngavie, a
suburb of Glasgow. Robert Wallace Groves is born on 25th July, 1937. The
date of birth of elder brother Edward is not known at this stage but is
assumed to have been a year or two earlier. |
|
- I
then returned to
"Everest"
and
shut myself in my room for a couple of days, and I was so utterly and
completely broken up, and nothing or nobody could give me the comfort I
had lost. The funeral passed, and shortly after George's ship
sailed for home waters, Violet and Jeanne following later
in a Union Castle ship. Later still, Tom, who had been working at
a garage in Cape Town
, and
had been corresponding with Jean, decided to go home to Scotland. to
marry Jean.
|
|
Two family
scenes assumed to have been taken at "Everest". (L to R) (standing rear)
Joan, Janet Lawson, Maggie, my father Edward Archibald, the youngest child
and Jessie. Seated front are Mary and Sheila.
(L to R) My father, Edward
Groves, Joan with Maggie's first-born Edward, nicknamed "Miff",
Sheila, Maggie and Jessie. |
|
|
|
George and
Violet on their wedding at "Everest" circa 1930.
"Everest" fun family photo. (L
to R) My late father, Edward Groves, Maggie, Joand and Jessie.
"Dad" (Edward Groves) and the
daughters (L to R) Mary, Maggie, Jessie, Joan and Sheila. |
|
|
|
The 1929
marriage certificate of George Hugh Groves and Violet Knights at the Strand,
Cape Province, South Africa. |
|
|
|
The 1937
Glasgow-registered birth
certificate of Robert Wallace Groves, which also provides the date of
marriage of Thomas Edward Groves and Jean Ogilvey Wallace as 18th July,
1930. |
|
|
Edward Groves
buys a ticket on a ship bound for the United Kingdom but cancels his plans
after he is re-employed by the company, who reimburse him for his fare. He
moves on to another job setting up a new military camp at Pollsmoor, Cape
Town, so his trip to the United Kingdom is put on hold for the time being.
|
|
|
|
Edward Groves
eventually undertakes the trip only some 14 years after the passing of his
wife, in 1946, after the end of the Second World War. He travels to
Durban, where his youngest son Edward Archibald Groves (Ted) and wife Ansie
are resident, as Ted is working in the Met office at Stamford Airport,
Durban. RMS Arundel Castle was a British ocean liner and Royal Mail Ship
which entered service in 1921 for the Union-Castle Line. On the outbreak of
war in 1939, she was requisitioned by the Admiralty to serve as a troopship.
She survived the war unscathed. After being released by the Admiralty, she
was converted back to a passenger liner to provide a service for emigrants
traveling to South Africa. The end of that role in 1949 led to the ship
being returned to her normal service between Southampton and Cape Town. The
following
website contains photographs of the ship docking in Cape Town. Records
indicate that RMS Arundel Castle arrived in Durban on 6th July 1946 and left
on 15th July 1946, arriving in Southampton on 6th August 1946. |
|
-
The urge to carry out my intention of making the trip to England began
to trouble and whilst I had the few pounds necessary, I began making
enquiries, but I found it almost impossible to get a passage in any of
the usual ships. After several days of visiting the shipping offices,
always hoping there might be a canceled passage, I met an old officer
friend in Adderley Street
one
Capt. Slingsby, who, on hearing my story, told me of a Lieut. pal of
his, in an office in Marks Buildings, who had the dealings with priority
passages, and with a note from Capt. Slingsby, I made my way up to this
office, and was greeted at the door by this officer with the news that
Slingsby had just telephoned him about me, and he then offered me a
passage on a ship carrying troops on condition that I paid the fare and
also that I wore uniform. I agreed at once. The ship was the Arundel
Castle sailing from Durban,
and to save me the train fare, he gave me a rail warrant from Cape Town
to
Durban. As Ted was with the Met. Service in Durban, I wired him
and was met on arrival, and as the ship was not sailing until the next
day, I was put up for the night at his office, and the next morning we
walked down town.............................the cost of the fare was 59
pounds, which I gladly paid. We then made our way to the ship, and I was
shown to my berth.
|
|
|
In London
Edward Groves retraces the remnants of his family. Whilst looking for
the last known address of his sister, Margaret, he first gets to meet his
sister-in-law, Louie. Her late husband (Edward's younger brother Andrew) and
sister Mary, who lived in Kent (possibly Goudhurst), had since passed on.
The eldest brother, Thomas, born in 1870, is at an institution for the
elderly at Whitchurch Mansion, run by the Theatrical Guild. Recent
information has confirmed that "young Maggie" was Andrew and Louisa's
daughter Margaret Louisa, born 1914, who had married Jack Leslie Turner. |
|
-
I made
my way by the underground railway towards Walworth Road, to the last
address I knew where my sister Mag lived, but found that they had left,
and nothing could be found of where they now lived. I called at the
Council Chambers, where a search was made through their books, but without
success, and I then commenced to walk the streets adjacent to their last
address, questioning people who were out shopping and moving from street
to street until I "struck oil". I found an old dame toddling home with her
arms full of vegetables, and whilst I was putting the everlasting
questions to her, a woman in a house opposite popped her head out of a
first floor window and called out "Who are you looking for guvnor?" and
when I mentioned the name Mr. Groves, she pointed her finger over to the
house at which we were standing, and said "in there". And so ended the
search, I knocked on the door which was immediately opened, and the girl,
who as a tiny tot I had seen doing fairy dances to amuse my own daughters,
stood before me. After a moment's hesitation, she turned towards a
stairway and called excitedly "Mum, here's uncle Ted", and down the stairs
came my sister-in-law, Louie.
-
I was
taken in to their small front parlour, where, during a cup of tea, I was
given all the news. My youngest brother, Andrew, had only recently died,
after a severe illness, my eldest brother, Tom, was in an
institution owned by the Theatrical Guild, and was said to be very happy and
comfortable. My sister, Mag, was living at Hendon, North
London, and
my only other sister, Mary, had died at her house in Kent, where
she is laid to rest. I visited her grave later, and met her daughter,
Phyllis, and the two sons.
-
Finding that sister
Mag was on the phone, we
went to the nearest booth and called her, and when she answered, young
Maggie said "Auntie Margaret, Uncle Ted's here" and handed me the
receiver. As soon she heard my voice, I could hear nothing but choking
sobs and when she calmed down, I arranged to meet her at the bus stop near
her house the following day, it then being too late to do the trip that
day. So I was given a shake down in Louie's house and that night when
Maggie's husband Jack, arrived home from Lime Grove Studios, where he
worked, we all adjourned to the local, where I was shown off to their many
pals, and had a real good night.
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He
visits his sister Margaret, living in Hendon, North London, as well as brother Tom at Whitchurch Mansion, whilst being granted
permission to take him home for a few days. He also gets to meet Tom's wife
Alice, living with the children at Clapham Common. It has been
established that "Arthur", husband of Susie, is in fact a one Arthur Bottomley.
Susan, presumed missing in WWII, is the same person who features in the
photograph alongside "ma" Groves and is also listed in
the Goudhurst census record for the Vine Hotel in 1911. |
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The
next day I was about early and phoned to Mag to let her know what time I
was leaving, and after breakfast I said good-bye to the family, jumped on
a bus on the Walworth Road
to the
Elephant and Castle, where I booked on the underground to Hendon
Central. Arriving there, I next took a bus, as I was told to do, to
Aerodrome Road, and
there I found sister Mag, looking very little different from when I had
last seen her. She made to grab my suitcase but I would have none of it,
and as the house was mere hop, step and jump away, we walked towards it,
talking excitedly until we reached home. I was intrigued with the type of
house, and the valuable furnishings that were everywhere, until I heard
that it had originally been built and owned by a Miss Margaret Yarde, a
well-know actress of the day, and on her death it was left to Mag to live
in for the rest of her life. Mag had been dresser to Miss Yarde for many
years, and always accompanied her to the theatre at nights, all through
the blitzes and bombings that were taking place, and besides the house she
was drawing a small monthly amount from Miss Yarde's estate. How we
talked that day, going over the bad old times we had suffered together,
and roaring with laughter over some of the incidents. That evening I met
the three granddaughters, Joan, Marjorie and Sheila, when they arrived
home from work, and also Arthur, the husband of Susie. The last named has
been missing for five years and nothing was ever heard of her again, and
it assumed that she met her death in one of the many raids which had been
prevalent in that quarter.
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The
following day, we all went to see my brother Tom. This was a three-bus
ride, and a good long walk at the end. Arrived at the institution just
after lunch time, and we were shown into a fairly large common room, where
several men were taking an "easy". Some quietly dozing, others smoking,
and Mag approached one elderly white-haired man and said "Hullo,
Tom, I've
brought a visitor from Africa to see you". Tom very seriously put forth
his hand saying "How do you do, Sir". It took us some time to convince him
who I was and after spending an hour with him, we approached the matron,
and told her who I was, asking if it were not possible to have him home
for a few days. She made certain conditions which we promised to abide by,
and the next day, Mag and I chartered a taxi and we had Tom with us for a
week. Whilst he was home with us, we took him over to see Louie, and we
put in another night at the local, with Louie in good form. The next day I
took Tom and Mag along to his old house at Hampstead. This house had been
severely damaged by bombs, the whole front being blown in. Fortunately it
was empty at the time, and when we arrived the repairs were completed. We
met Tom's daughter Maggie and her husband, and after a few hours with
them, we arranged to meet Tom's wife Alice, and the two sons and daughters
at Alice's home in Clapton Common. We had
little difficulty in finding the house, and when we entered we found Alice
looking very fragile, but still full of beans, the two daughters with
their several children and one son, Young Tom. We had a most convivial
night, and left for Hendon and
home after midnight. The next day we had to return Tom to the institution and
I remember how the long walk across country to Whitchurch Mansion tired
poor Tom and he was put to bed at once.
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Over the
period of several months, Edward Groves alternates between travels to
Purbrook, Hampshire (Portsmouth) to visit George and Violet and Milngavie, a
suburb of Glasgow, to see his son Tom and wife Jean. It is on his return
from Scotland that he learns of the passing of his eldest brother Tom at the
institution. He attends the funeral, which is assumed to have been December,
1946. |
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After a few more days at Jean's, I told them I would like to see
George and Violet again, and so I booked a seat on a
London bus, keeping my return rail ticket for another day. The busses
left the terminus in Glasgow
at 11
p.m. and travelling through the night, arrived at the London terminus
just after midday, taking much longer than the train.
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-
I
wired, telling daughter-in-law Violet (George's wife) that I would arrive
by bus the next day, but we received a phone call from the Matron telling
of my brother, Tom's death. He had been out walking in the snow,
when he must have slipped and stunned himself. He was found dead by a
local farmer, who had been a great friend of Tom's. He was buried
in front of the institution, the family meeting in a funeral parlour, near
to the cemetery. Shall I ever forget that day? The snow lay six inches
thick on the ground, and it was pelting down the whole time. It was a
Catholic Priest who conducted the service.
|
Back in
London, Edward Groves decides to see in the New Year in Scotland with Tom
and Jean, having spent Christmas with George and Violet. This is assumed to
be December 1946 - January 1947. |