Six: Sergeant-Major T. G. Groombridge, East Kent Regiment, R.S.M. of the 8th Battalion at Loos, 26 September 1915, where they suffered 558 casualties including 24 officers when attacking the German line near Chalk Pit

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Transvaal (2831 Sgt. T. Groombridge. E. Kent Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2831 Serjt: J. Groombridge. E. Kent Regt.); 1914-15 Star (SR-463 S. Mjr. T. Groombridge. E. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (SR-463 W.O. Cl. 1. T. G. Groombridge. E. Kent R.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2831 C. Sjt. T. Groombridge, E. Kent R.) the Great War Trio good very fine, otherwise nearly very fine (6) £300-£400

Thomas George Groombridge was born at New Brompton, Chatham, Kent, in 1871 and enlisted into the Buffs on 26 February 1889, being posted to the 2nd Battalion. He had risen to the rank of Sergeant by August 1894 and was transferred to Army Reserve on 11 February 1899. Recalled on 4 December later that year, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion and served in South Africa from 22 December 1899 to 22 May 1900, and from 31 August 1901 to 20 March 1902. He was then posted to the 1st Battalion for service in Burma, April to December 1902, and then in India until November 1903 when he was posted to the 3rd Battalion. He was promoted to Colour-Sergeant on 16 May 1905 and discharged to pension on 25 February 1910.

He re-attested from the Special Reserve on 12 September 1914, and was appointed acting Sergeant-Major in the 8th Battalion. Promoted to Company Sergeant-Major on 24 September 1914, and to Regimental Sergeant-Major in August 1915, he landed in France on 31 August 1915, with the 24th Division. Groombridge was R.S.M. of the 8th Battalion at the battle of Loos, 26 September 1915, with 72nd Brigade attacking the German second line near Chalk Pit where they suffered 558 casualties including 24 officers. Posted back to the U.K. on 10 December 1915, he was posted to the 9th Battalion and then to Training Reserve in September 1916. He was discharged on 21 December 1917, diagnosed with neurasthenia and ‘being no longer physically fit for war service under para 392 of King’s Regulations. He was awarded Silver War Badge No. 294713.

Sold with copied research including service papers, medal rolls, and extracts from the regimental history and The War Dragon regimental gazette.