Name
Frank Groome
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/10/1915
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
221
Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
'A' Coy., 17th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY
Row D, Grave 121.
Egypt
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford,
Australasian Imperial Expeditionary Forces Roll of Honour,
Australian War Memorial Canberra
Pre War
Son of Mary Ann Elizabeth (nee SAUNDERS) GROOME of Watford, and the late Fred(erick) GROOME.
His parents married 22 December 1878 at St Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow, Essex. Fred died 1919 in Watford aged 65, and was buried 10 June in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford.
Frank was born 21 March 1895 in Sydenham or Forest Hill, London, and attended Winterbourne Boys’ School, Croydon, Surrey, from 27 August 1906 to 29 July 1909. He emigrated to Australia 21 March 1914, 3rd class on the White Star Line Irishman from Liverpool to Melbourne, an agricultural labourer aged 18.
On the 1901 Census, aged 6 he lived in Sydenham, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, a library assistant aged 16, he lived in Addiscombe, Surrey, with his parents and no siblings.
Wartime Service
He attested 15 February 1915 at Liverpool, N.S.W., Australia: a farm hand aged 19, unmarried, 5’5″ tall, C of E; his next-of-kin his mother of Watford.
He had previously served six months in the 5th Battalion, Rifle Brigade.
He embarked 12 May 1915 from Sydney, N.S.W., aboard H.M.A.T. Themistocles.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, and died at No. 1 Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis, Egypt, at 9.30pm of wounds received on 4 September 1915.
Additional Information
Is featured in the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
