Henry Grocock (1896-1918)
Ryhope born railway passenger clerk served as an able seaman in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Henry Grocock was born on 12 November 1896 in Ryhope. His father was John Dodds Grocock (b 1867), a coke drawer originally from Bishop Auckland. His mother was Mary Elizabeth Grocock nee Hewson (1868-1936), a cabinet maker’s daughter born in Newcastle, Northumberland. His parents married around 1892 and had four known children, all sons. At both the 1901 and 1911 censuses the Grocock family lived at 7 Jubilee Terrace, Langley Moor. Henry attended Durham Johnstone School and found work as a railway passenger clerk at Brandon Station.
Henry enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) on 7 June 1915. He became an able seaman with the service number TZ/5138. He was drafted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) on 5 October 1915 and joined Nelson Battalion of the Royal Naval Division (RND). He was treated for a septic thumb in December 1915, re-joining his battalion on 18 March 1916.
Henry served with Nelson Battalion until 22 February 1918 then joined 7th Entrenching Battalion for a short spell until he took UK leave for a fortnight from 4 March 1918. On his return to the theatre of war, he joined Hawke Battalion, RND on 31 March 1918. He suffered penetrating wounds to his face and chest on 28 September 1918 and was invalided to the UK on 12 October 1918. He was a patient in Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, Essex but succumbed to his wounds and meningitis pneumococci on 1 November 1918. He was buried in Brandon (Meadowfield) Cemetery.
Henry Grocock was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.
Civil Parish: Brandon and Byshottles
Birth date: 12-Nov-1896
Death date: 01-Nov-1918
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: 7 Jubilee Terrace, Langley Moor (1901and 1911 censuses)
Employment: Railway passenger clerk
Family: Parents: John Dodds Grocock (b 1867), Mary Elizabeth Grocock nee Hewson (1868-1936)
Siblings: Ernest Hewson Grocock (b 1893), John Dodds Grocock (b 1895), Bertie William Grocock (b 1902)
Military service:
TZ/5138
Able Seaman
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 7 June 1915
Royal Naval Division
Nelson Battalion, 18 March 1916
Hawke Battalion, 31 March 1918
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Brandon (Meadowfield) Cemetery (grave B 206)
Chancel Screen 1914-18, St John’s Church, Meadowfield
Furnishings 1914-18, Johnstone Technical School, Durham
North Eastern Railway Roll of Honour 1914-18, York, Yorkshire
Plaque 1914-18, Royal British Legion Club, Meadowfield
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham
