Name
William Groom
5 Jul 1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/11/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18633
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
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
Whitwell Village Memorial,
Hatfield Hyde & Mill Green Cross, Welwyn,
All Saints Church Memorial, St Paul's Walden,
Whitwell Village Memorial
Pre War
William was one of none children born on 5 Jul 1885 in Whitwell (baptised 7 Feb 1886), St Pauls Walden) to Abraham Groom, an agricultural labourer, and Lydia, a straw plaiter (nee Wells). On the 1881 Census Abraham and Lydia were living in Whitwell with their children George (born 1879) and Elizabeth Maud (born 1880).
On the 1891 still living in Whitwell the family consisted of parents Elizabeth, Charles James (born 1882), Harriet Mary Ann (born 1885), William, David (born 1888) and Jane (born 1891). His father was working as an agricultural labourer. They
By the 1901 Census , living in the High Street, Whitwell the family consisted of parents, Charles (general labourer), William (a stock boy on farm), David (general labourer), Jane, and Ernest (born 1894).
William enlisted as Private 5729 in the 4th Battalion (Militia) Bedfordshire Regiment on 31 Oct 1906 but was discharged on 13 Apr 1907 on payment of £2. He gave his address at the Gravel, Whittle (Whitwell).
He married Florence Smith on 20 February 1909 at King’s Walden 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.
On the 1911 Census William and Florence were living in High Street Whitwell with Emma Smith, Hetty Smith and Jack Smith (all Florence’s relatives). There would be a daughter Zilpha May (born 26 May 1912).
Wartime Service
William enlisted as Private 18633 in the 4th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment. No Service Records were found for William.
He went to France on 30 Sep 1915 for service with the Regiment (battalion not identified). And was at some time transferred to 693 Agricultural Company, Labour Corps probably on his return to UK. He contracted Influenza whilst on active service and died on 28 November 1918 at the Bedford Military Hospital, aged 32. He is buried in St Paul's Walden (All Saints) Churchyard.
Additional Information
His widow, Mrs. Florence Groom, High Street, Whitwell, Welwyn, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "THY WILL BE DONE".
War Gratuity of £15 and arrears of £5 7s 1d was paid to his widow Florence.
Brother David was called from Reserve to join 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment on 5 Aug 1914 and was killed in action on 25 Oct 1914. He is also named on the Whitwell Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
