Name
Frederick William Groom
5 July 1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/11/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18633
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. PAUL'S WALDEN (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints Church Memorial, St Paul's Walden, Whitwell Village Memorial
Pre War
Frederick William Groom (known as William) was born on 5 July 1885 in Whitwell, the son of Abraham and Lydia Groom and baptised on 7 February 1886 at St Pauls Walden. He was one of nine children.
On the 1891 Census the family were living in Whitwell where his father was working as an agricultural labourer. They remained there in 1901, living in the High Street.
He married Florence Smith on 20 February 1909 and on the 1911 Census William and Florence were living in High Street, Whitwell with widow Emma Smith, Hetty and Jack Smith who were related to Florence. They later had a daughter Silpha May Groom who was born on 26 May 1912.
Wartime Service
He enlisted initially as a Private 18633 with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and served in France from 30 September 1915, but was later transferred to the 693rd Agricultural Company Labour Corps.
He contracted Influenza whilst on active service and died on 28 November 1918 at the Military Hospital, Bedford, aged 32. He is buried in St Paul's Walden (All Saints) Churchyard.
Additional Information
Huis widow, Mrs Florence Groom, High Street, Whitwell, Welwyn, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "THY WILL BE DONE".
His widow received a war gratuity of £15 and pay owing of £5 17s 1d. She also received a pension of £1 0s 5d a week for herself and her daughter.
Brother to David Groom who served with the Bedfordshire Regiment and died on 25 October 1914. He is also named on the Whitwell Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild