GROVES, Bert

Bert Groves was born in Brierley Hill and was a pre-war regular soldier serving in the 1st Battalion of the South Staffords. They were soon mobilised and sent to join the BEF in Belgium as part of the 7th Division. They crossed to Belgium on the 4th October, moved towards Ghent but were soon ordered to the crucial defence of Ypres. Ypres was saved at great cost but the German forces were still determined to capture the city. In early 1915 the Staffords moved to Artois where attacks were to be made on the German lines. In March they fought at Neuve Chapelle and a second attack was made nearby at Festubert. The Staffords were in support for the attack of the 16th May and then advanced courageously on the 17th, only to be pinned down in a forward position under heavy fire. Casualties were very heavy and among them was Private Bert Groves who is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial and on the Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.