Name
Joseph Grover
12 Feb 1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/08/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
202688
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 48 to 50 and 162A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
St Stephens Parish Memorial Obelisk,Park Street , Herts, Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Frogmore, Not on the St Albans memorials
Pre War
Joseph was born on 12 Dec 1880 in St Peters, St Albans (baptised 13 Jan 1881) to Charles Grover, general Labourer, and Sarah Ann (nee Wright) On the 1881 Census the family of parents, William Charles (born 1879) and Joseph were living at Key Field, Old London Road, St Albans.
Joseph’s mother Sarah died in late 1893, his father married Mary Ann (nee Houchin) in autumn 1894 in Lambeth. On the 1901 census Joseph and his parents were living at Orsett Road, Lambeth with William, Arthur (born 1884) and George (born 1890).
Joseph married Ada Isabel Shepherd in 1905 there would be two children Ada Florence Elizabeth (born 16 Apr 1906) and Joseph (born 24 May 1909). On the 1911 Census Joseph, a gas stoker, and family were living at Henry Street, Lambeth.
On the 1911 Census Joseph’s parents and his brother George were still living at Orsett Road. His widow later lived at 34 Branch Road, Park Street.
Wartime Service
Joseph was enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 202688. No service Records were found for Joseph. He was posted to 7th (Service) Battalion of the Regiment in Flanders and took part in the Battle of 3rd Ypres (Passchendael) particularly the Capture of Westhoek (10 Aug 1917). On 16 Aug 1917, B Company of 7th Battalion had been detailed to attack an enemy strongpoint on the corner of Inverness Copse to assist a larger attack by another Division. Friendly artillery rounds falling short rendered about half of the Company wounded or killed, D Company attempted to reinforce and press home the attack but strong machine fire prevented any further advance and a withdrawal took place. During this action Joseph was reported killed, his remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Ypres.
Additional Information
Record of war Gratuity and any arrears was not found
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Gareth Hughes, Jonty Wild
