Commemorated at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport
Grave VIII. O.5A.

Rushden CWS Employees - Wounded Soldiers - The 7th Northants on the Great Advance

...Mrs C Groom, 2 Woburn-place, Rushden, has received a letter from her son, Pte R C Groom, 11503, 7th Northants Regt., to say that he is wounded in the right arm and is in hospital in Bristol. In a later communication, he says that the fun was only just beginning in France when he came away. He was wounded on Rushden Feast Sunday.

Rushden Soldier Wounded a Second Time

Mr and Mrs Groome, of Woburn-place, Rushden, have received news of their son, Pte R Groome, of the Northants Regt., that he was wounded for the second time on July 29th. This time his wound is only slight, fortunately. He was struck by a piece by a piece of shell just above the ankle.

Rushden Echo, November 15th, 1918, transcribed by Greville Watson

Rushden’s Casualty List - Victims of the War

Pte. Chas. Reginald Groom (Suffolk Regt.), aged 25, husband of Mrs Groom, of 23, Moor-road, Rushden, and son of Mr and Mrs C. Groom, of 2, Woburn-place, Rushden, succumbed from wounds and pneumonia at the 2nd Canadian General Hospital , Le Treport, on November 3rd.  The late Pte. Groom was wounded on October 9th, and whilst in hospital pneumonia set in.  His wife and father were notified of his serious condition and given permission to visit him, and although they proceeded to France on Sunday they were unable to reach his bedside before he passed away.  Deceased, who has been buried with military honours, joined his County regiment immediately following the outbreak of war, going to France about twelve months later.  Up to the time of enlistment he was employed at the C.W.S. Boot Works, Rushden.

Arrived Too Late - Rushden Soldier Dies of Wounds

Pte Charles Reginald Groom, of the Suffolk Regiment, husband of Mrs Groom, of 23, Moor-road, Rushden, and son of Mr and Mrs C Groom, of 2 Woburn-place, Rushden, died of wounds and pneumonia on Sunday morning, November 3rd. The decreased soldier was wounded on October 9th, and conveyed to the 2nd Canadian General Hospital, at Le Treport, France. While in hospital he developed pneumonia, and his wife and father were given permission to visit him.

They crossed the Channel on Sunday morning, but on reaching Boulogne were informed that the soldier has passed away. Pte Groom, who was 25 years of age, enlisted in the Northants Regiment in September, 1914, and went to France after twelve month's training. Before joining up he was employed at the C.W.S. Boot and Shoe Works, Rushden.

Charles Reginald Groom [Reg]

Reg Groom died during the First World War. He was injured so returned to England. He was sent back to the front, where he died of pneumonia. He was the eldest son of Charles Groom and his wife Isabel (nee Barker), who lived at 2 Woburn Place, Rushden. His brothers and sisters were:-

1. "Win" - Married Tom Whitney, Greengrocer
2. Cyril - Served in the War and survived, did not marry.
3. Percy - Served in the War and survived, marrying Beatrice Cope.
4. Arthur - Too young to serve in the War, did not marry.
5. Millicent Sheila - Disabled, did not marry.
6. Phyllis - Married Alfred Presland of Irthlingborough.

The photograph is of his marriage to Matilda Tansy of Higham Ferrers, she was known as "Til". Matilda later re-married.