William Groome

Army Ordance Corps

Personal Details

Born:  26 July 1888 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 10 August 1888 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the first of two children born to Thomas Groome, a house painter, and his wife Elizabeth, nee Woodhall. His father died and his mother remarried Joseph Rogers in 1901. William married Ivy Mary Groom in Quarter 3 1915 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Eric and Phyllis.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at 1 Elliott`s Yard, Whitchurch but 10 years later they had moved to 4 Scotland Street. By 1911, with his mother remarried, their address was 41 Egerton Road. This was also the address he gave on his Attestation document in 1914. Once married he and his wife lived at 10 Egerton Road, the address given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters List. In 1939 he was at 16 Alport Road, where he remained until his death in 1969.

Employment:  He was a tinsmith, serving his apprenticeship with W.H. Smith & Co.

Died: 5 March 1969 in Whitchurch, Shropshire, aged 80; buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 8 March 1969.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Ordnance Corps (previously King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 040017 (previously 11649)

Date of Enlistment: 27 February 1918 (RAOC), 1 September 1914 (KSLI)

Date of Discharge: 27 February 1919 (RAOC), 8 December 1914 (KSLI)

Reason for Discharge: Medically unfit on both occasions

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Silver War Badge.


Silver War Badge

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the "Discharge Badge", the "Wound Badge" or "Services Rendered Badge", was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.





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