Russell Markland's cousins - the family Groves - the relationship of the armed forces, society and the sentiments expressed in the poetry of Freston and Markland.
What follows has been mined from a family history compiled by Keith Grimble Groves, in the prologue of which he thanks his cousins, Leigh Groves, O.B,E, J.P., "the present head of the family," and his cousin Russell Markland for their help in making available family documents and photographs, (all three gentlemen now deceased).
I will not include the history of the family - that deserves a volume in itself - I include only very brief extracts as they relate to what has preceded.
William Peer Groves
1914 enlisted Royal Naval Air Service after the war, Assistant British Air Attache, League of Nations.
Robert Marsland Groves
1894 entered Royal Navy, Dartmouth, and served with D Halahan and became torpedo specialist. Later a pilot he became Deputy Chief of Air Staff. C.O., R.A F Egypt and Middle East, crashed his Bristol fighter and died 1920.
James Douglas Groves
1914 joined Derbyshire Yeomanry. As a Company Commander in France he was severely wounded at the battle of Lens, and mentioned in Dispatches.
William Peer Groves
1914 enlisted Royal Naval Air Service after the war, Assistant British Air Attache, League of Nations.
Robert Marsland Groves
1894 entered Royal Navy, Dartmouth, and served with D Halahan and became torpedo specialist. Later a pilot he became Deputy Chief of Air Staff. C.O., R.A F Egypt and Middle East, crashed his Bristol fighter and died 1920.
James Douglas Groves
1914 joined Derbyshire Yeomanry. As a Company Commander in France he was severely wounded at the battle of Lens, and mentioned in Dispatches.
Eric Marsland Groves
One of the first submariners serving on Holland class boats. Invalided out of active service with the Royal Navy after bravely rescuing the entire crew of A9, before falling unconscious. When he died in 1949 his ashes were taken by submarine and buried at sea off Spithead.
Eva Muriel Groves
Married brother Bob's best friend, Frederick Crosby Halahan, always known as "0", Gunnery Lieutenant In the battleship Dreadnought. Their eldest son Michael, a fighter pilot was killed just after the Battle of Britain
One of the first submariners serving on Holland class boats. Invalided out of active service with the Royal Navy after bravely rescuing the entire crew of A9, before falling unconscious. When he died in 1949 his ashes were taken by submarine and buried at sea off Spithead.
Eva Muriel Groves
Married brother Bob's best friend, Frederick Crosby Halahan, always known as "0", Gunnery Lieutenant In the battleship Dreadnought. Their eldest son Michael, a fighter pilot was killed just after the Battle of Britain
Leslie Gordon Grimble Groves
Took part in the battle of Jutland in WW1 aboard a light cruiser, and in WW2 was liaison officer in New Zealand for NZ Navy and USNavy
Eileen Norah Grimble Groves
Married Howard Cumming, infantryman who served in Flanders and Gallipoli. Her son Robert, a Lancaster bomber pilot was killed with his crew when they were shot down in a night sortie over Germany in 1942
As aforementioned, the author of the family history which is my source was Keith Grimble Groves a scholar, gentleman, businessman, what you will. A Manxman by choice. He served with the 2/17th London Regiment in 1916 in France and after six months in the trenches at Vimy ridge went to Salonika and subsequently Palestine being mentioned in Dispatches for gallant and distinguished services in the field.
His son Louise who joined the RAF in 1940 was killed in 1945 when returning from a sortie over the Bay of Biscay, his Halifax hit the top of a hill in Cornwall.
Do not let the sombre tone of this selection mislead you. If you can find and read the family history in full you will be delighted by the joyful background it reveals, The family was not military by tradition. History and a sense of duty conspired to include them all in the annals of WW1
Took part in the battle of Jutland in WW1 aboard a light cruiser, and in WW2 was liaison officer in New Zealand for NZ Navy and USNavy
Eileen Norah Grimble Groves
Married Howard Cumming, infantryman who served in Flanders and Gallipoli. Her son Robert, a Lancaster bomber pilot was killed with his crew when they were shot down in a night sortie over Germany in 1942
As aforementioned, the author of the family history which is my source was Keith Grimble Groves a scholar, gentleman, businessman, what you will. A Manxman by choice. He served with the 2/17th London Regiment in 1916 in France and after six months in the trenches at Vimy ridge went to Salonika and subsequently Palestine being mentioned in Dispatches for gallant and distinguished services in the field.
His son Louise who joined the RAF in 1940 was killed in 1945 when returning from a sortie over the Bay of Biscay, his Halifax hit the top of a hill in Cornwall.
Do not let the sombre tone of this selection mislead you. If you can find and read the family history in full you will be delighted by the joyful background it reveals, The family was not military by tradition. History and a sense of duty conspired to include them all in the annals of WW1
