1/8th Bn Hampshires IOW Rifles Unknown

[REMEVMBEA1]

Originally Posted by Peter J

Hello R,

Here is the SDGW entry for our man:

Attachment 51389

...have you perhaps misspelt the surname?

In addition, the link Ry provided also contains a link to the CWGC site showing Sgt Groves' entry.

Regards,

Peter

Whoops , time for new specs I think.

[Charlie585]

HI Gents,

Some interesting posts so far on this one and a few lessons to take on board!

I have just Emailed the originator of the original enquiry in order to inform her of the discussion at hand and the progress we have made so far. It maybe that the lady will be able to confirm a family link to the RFC chap or the possibility that her relative was formerly a member of the RFC himself. Maybe not. If nothing else it may at least lead to an answer on the origins of the photgraph and possibly how it came to be in her Grandmother's possession if the gentleman is not the Reginald Groves of the IOW Rifles.

As for my initial excitement at the thought of the possibility that I may have discovered a previously unrecorded version of the 8th IOW Rifles badge, back to the drawing board for me

Thanks to all for your input so far and I will update the thread if I hear back from the lady I have Emailed.

Regards to all.

Ry

[Charlie585]

Just another possibility!

Have a look at the man second from the right in photograph 6 in this link:

http://www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk/iwrifles.htm

Could this be Sjt Groves?

Ry

Originally Posted by Charlie585

Just another possibility!

Have a look at the man second from the right in photograph 6 in this link:

http://www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk/iwrifles.htm

Could this be Sjt Groves?

Ry

It would be great if it were him, Ry, but I wonder what the chances of getting a positive ID on this photo are .

Look forward to any reply you may receive from the photo's current owner.

Regards,

Peter.

[Charlie585]

I'm pleased to report that I have had a reply from Mrs Moores who has carried out further research and I can now confirm that the gentleman in the picture is indeed wearing the cap badge of the RFC.

It turns out that you were spot on Peter, well done. Our man is:

[Quote]
WILLIAM ALEXANDER REGINALD GROVES,aka REGGIE.

Bizarrely he was born in WALES, in 1881

He joined originally 1st Middlesex Volunteers.

On 4th August 1916 he joined ROYAL FLYING CORPS
at South Farnborough (No.42011)

He was compulsory transferred to 10th Bat. Sherwood Foresters Notts and Derby, Private,(no.72301)

He was killed in action on 23.3.1918 age 37.Single.

Buried in ARRAS,FRANCE and appears on the War Memorial there according to Commomwealth War Grave Commision website. [Quote]

http://www.cwgc.org/search/SearchRes...x=56&send.y=13

Nice to be able to get to the bottom of this one and there may be more to follow from this lady with regard to another relative of hers.

Regards to all.

Ry

[quote=Charlie585;138402]I'm pleased to report that I have had a reply from Mrs Moores who has carried out further research and I can now confirm that the gentleman in the picture is indeed wearing the cap badge of the RFC.

It turns out that you were spot on Peter, well done. Our man is:

[Quote]
WILLIAM ALEXANDER REGINALD GROVES,aka REGGIE.

Bizarrely he was born in WALES, in 1881

He joined originally 1st Middlesex Volunteers.

On 4th August 1916 he joined ROYAL FLYING CORPS
at South Farnborough (No.42011)

He was compulsory transferred to 10th Bat. Sherwood Foresters Notts and Derby, Private,(no.72301)

He was killed in action on 23.3.1918 age 37.Single.

Buried in ARRAS,FRANCE and appears on the War Memorial there according to Commomwealth War Grave Commision website.

http://www.cwgc.org/search/SearchRes...x=56&send.y=13

Nice to be able to get to the bottom of this one and there may be more to follow from this lady with regard to another relative of hers.

Regards to all.

Ry

Ry,

That is fantastic; thanks for sharing your findings.

Now (dare I ask); what of 8/758 Reginald H Groves, 1/8th Hants?

PJ

[Charlie585]

Ry,

That is fantastic; thanks for sharing your findings.

Now (dare I ask); what of 8/758 Reginald H Groves, 1/8th Hants?

PJ

Yes Peter,

I'm pleased with the result. However, sadly we may never know more of our 1/8th man, a shame!

Regards

Ry

Originally Posted by Charlie585

Yes Peter,

I'm pleased with the result. However, sadly we may never know more of our 1/8th man, a shame!

Regards

Ry

Ry,

Great to have got to the bottom of the main issue here though. A really interesting and thoroughly enjoyable thread.

Many thanks,

Peter.

[Phil2M]

I think the centre of the 'RFC' badge looks more like an S.

Edit: looks like _SC to me? or maybe ASR?

[Charlie585]

Originally Posted by phil2m

I think the centre of the 'RFC' badge looks more like an S.

Edit: looks like _SC to me? or maybe ASR?

Hi Phil,

A moot point I think mate.

Even though I was sceptical, the team cracked the identity of the badge by post #6 of this thread.

It turns out that the original identification of the man by the owner of the photograph was wrong and they have since confirmed that the correct identity is of a chap that did serve with the RFC in 1916 before transfering to the 10th Bn sherwood foresters, Nott's and Derby.

Regards

Ry

[Phil2M]

I know mate, I was just trying to back you up, not the only one who sees another pattern. lol.

Phil