GROVE, James Percival

James Percival Grove was probably related to Ernest Grove. He attended Halesowen Grammar School, volunteered for service and was commissioned to the 1/9th (Territorial) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. They served in the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went to Gallipoli on the 10th May 1915. After the evacuation in January 1916 they went to Egypt and by March 1917 they had moved to the Western Front. They were in trenches near the Hindenburg line at Epehy and were then ordered to take part in Operation Hush, the invasion of the Belgian coast beyond the Houthulst Forest. It was an ambitious plan and the German anticipation of the plan led to damaging attacks in June. The opening phase of the invasion was timed to coincide with the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres on the 31st July. Captain Percy Grove was killed in action on this day and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Halesowen and The Earls School Memorials.