Death of an Old Buff

by P B Evershed

Historian Vol 7 No 6 September 1987

Readers may recall a Query in the December 1986 issue of this journal (SFH Vol 7 No 3 p117) seeking the baptism of Henry William Grover and his sister Olive Elizabeth Grover, both of whom were shown in the 1871 census of Hurstpierpoint.

Denis Girton of 40 The Fleet, Stoney Stanton, Leics LE9 6DY has had no response yet but he has acquired a newspaper cutting describing the funeral of Regimental Sergeant-Major Henry William Grover of the 3rd Buffs, who died at Brighton 11 October 1920. The military funeral took place "on Saturday" (presumably 16 October), and the report lists as the chief mourners, RSM Grover's widow, sons, daughters, father-in-law and Mrs Ellis (cousin). Mr Girton wonders if any reader can identify this lady?

He has deposited with me a GRO certificate of the birth in 1862 at Chailey of Harry the son of Stephen Grover and Anne nee Stredwick, to pass on to any member who would find it useful.

Mr Girton, who is a member of the Suffolk Genealogical Society, has also sent the following extracts from the 1871 census for Hurstpierpoint:-

William Miller head 71 Ag Lab born Westmanston
Sarah Miller wife 52 born Brighton
Fanny Miller dau 13 born Hurstpierpoint
John Miller son 10 born Hurstpierpoint
Catherine Miller dau 7 born Hurstpierpoint
Louisa Grover dau 30 widow born Brighton
Harry W Grover grand-son 5 born Brighton
Olive B Grover grand-dau 4 born Brighton

William Miller head 47 Ag Lab born Clayton
Emily Miller wife 46 born Brighton
Walter Miller son 18 born Hurstpierpoint
William Miller son 14 born Hurstpierpoint
Henry Miller son 7 born Hurstpierpoint
Charlotte Miller dau 4 born Hurstpierpoint

Historian Vol 7 No 6 September 1987