Second Lieutenant H S Groom
“On October 24th, Mr Herbert Groom of Ivycroft, Prestwood received a message from the War Office saying that his son, 2nd Lieutenant H S Groom of the Manchester Regiment, was wounded in the right arm and buttock (severely), and was admitted into hospital in France on the 23rd. He is now at the Fort Pitt Military Hospital at Chatham and is going on well. In a letter describing the battle, he says it was an attack at 5.30am on the 22nd.
“Our men had advanced 400 yards beyond the front line and fell into a hotbed of Huns. They were charging with bayonets when Lieut Groom fell, shot by a machine gun through the right arm. On getting up and turning to leave the company, he got another shot – fortunately for him less severe. Mr Groom has also received a letter from one of his son’s fellow officers who writes that, from accounts received from his men, Lieut Groom did extremely well and he joins with his brother officers in wishing him a speedy recovery and a long leave in England, which he thoroughly deserves.”