Grosvenor Garnet

Grosvenor was the youngest son of James and Mary Garnett (later spelling Garnet) née Withers His father James was born in Newark in 1846 (J/A/S Newark) and his mother Mary Elizabeth Withers was born in 1851 (A/M/J Newark), also in Newark. They were married at St Mary Magdalene parish church, Newark, on 24 September 1871 (J/A/S Newark). James and Mary had 12 children, all of whom were baptised at St Mary Magdelene, Newark: Florence Louisa b. 1872 (A/M/J Newark) bap. 11 April 1872, Lucy Kate b. 1873 (J/A/S Newark) bap. 21 August 1873, George Godfrey b. 1875 (J/A/S Newark) bap. 23 September 1875, William Percy birth registered 1878 (J/F/M Newark) bap. 7 March 1878, Harry Arthur birth registered 1880 (J/F/M Newark) bap. 16 March 1880, Ethel Maud birth registered 1882 (J/F/M Newark) bap. 8 January 1882, Margaret Annie birth registered 1884 (J/F/M Newark) bap. 27 January 1884, Conrad Stapleford birth registered 1886 (J/F/M Newark) bap. 10 January 1886), Violet Mabel b. 1887 (J/A/S Newark) bap. 31 July 1887, Olive Mary b. 1889 (A/M/J Newark) bap. 28 April 1889, James Barry b. 1890 (O/N/D Newark) bap. 12 October 1890) and Grosvenor birth registered 1894 (J/F/M Newark) bap. 28 January 1894. The birth and baptismal registrations of the nine older children have the surname Garnett but Garnet in the case of the three youngest. The family's address on the baptismal records was initially William Street, Newark, but by the time the three youngest children were baptised (1889-1894) the address was Kirk Gate, Newark. By 1901, when Grosvenor was 7 years old, his parents were living at 6 Wellington Road, Newark. His father James (54) was a traveller in wines and spirits. Only seven of their 12 children were in the home on the night of the census: William (23) a malster's clerk, Harry (21) an engine fitter, and Conrad (14), Violet (13), Olive (12), James (10) and Grosvenor. By 1910 Grosvenor had left home and emigrated to Canada. His parents were still living at 6 Wellington Road in 1911. His eldest sister Florence Louise married Henry Graham and they had two sons, Henry (b. 17 February 1899) and Robert (b. 14 January 1902). She was widowed young and both sons died in the war, Henry in 1917 and Robert in 1918. (See 'Extra information' and their records on this Roll of Honour.)

Educated at Magnus School, Newark. The Canadian Veterans' website gives his occupation as 'working proprietor (wholesale or retail trade)'.

Second Lieutenant Grosvenor Garnet joined the Canadian Light Infantry in February 1915. After arriving in England in July 1915 his unit was posted to France at the beginning of September 1916. Grosvenor returned to England in November 1916 to enter Wadham College, Oxford, as a cadet. He was gazetted second lieutenant in April 1917 and transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers, joining his regiment in France in May 1917. He fell while leading his company into action on 9th October 1917. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, Belgium.

Note; the family surname was changed from GARNETT to GARNET approx. 1889 The following is an extract from The Magnus School, Newark, diary of the Great War: Wednesday 24 October 1917: The Advertiser carried news of two more deaths of local heroes from the same family. Second Lieutenant Grosvenor Garnet, aged 23, the sixth and youngest son of James Garnet, had been killed in action in France on 9 October 1917. Educated at the Magnus, he sailed to Canada in 1910 and on the outbreak of War joined the Canadian Light Infantry, arriving in England with them in July 1915 and going out to France in September 1916. He was subsequently transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers; and was killed leading his Company of the 1st Battalion into action. Second Lieutenant W Addison wrote: ‘In spite of many hardships we had from time to time to undergo, your son always set us a splendid example in cheerfulness and courage.’ … Only 18 years and four months old, Second Lieutenant Henry Graham, a grandson of James Garnet, had been killed in action in Mesopotamia on 27 June 1917 while attached to the 67th Punjabis and placed in command of a cavalry patrol. His Major explained: ‘Your son went out to drive off, with the assistance of armoured cars, a party of Arabs who were attacking a convoy about four miles away. No cavalry officer being available, and as your son was always extremely keen to go on little jaunts of that sort, he was offered the command and accepted with sparkling eyes. The last I saw of him was when he rode out of camp at the head of the cavalry, looking as happy as a lord. The cavalry drew back and pursued the Arabs but, going rather too far, found the enemy increasing and working round the flank (right). So at 10.30 your son gave the order to retire and he and four men covered the right flank ... The main body was able to get back to the road but the right flank party were surrounded and shot down.’ Note: Henry’s younger brother Robert completed the family’s unwanted trilogy by dying of pneumonia in Plymouth in 1918 while serving as a Midshipman , Henry is remembered on the Basra Memorial in Iraq; Grosvenor in the Cement House Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle near Ypres. Article published 27th October 1917 in the Newark Herald :- Sixth and youngest son of Mr James Grosvenor [Garnet], late of 6 Wellington Road, Newark. A native of Newark and attended the Magnus Grammar school. Left for Canada in 1910, he joined the Canadian Light Infantry in Feb. 1915. After arriving with them in England in July 1915, proceeded to France at the beginning of Sept. 1916. He returned in Nov. 1916 and entered Wadham College, Oxford as a cadet, being gazetted in April 1917 and again sent to France in May 1917. Fell while leading his company into action.