Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Groom, a worsted framework knitter born 1826 in Sharnford, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Groom, a worsted framework knitter, born 1835 in Sharnford, George Henry was born in the 3rd quarter of 1878 in Sharnford, in April 1881 the family home was in Sharnford. In April 1891 George was employed as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home at Sharnford, together with his father a framework knitter and his mother. In March 1901 George was employed as a stone quarry worker and was residing in the family home at Sharnford, together with his father and mother. George’s surname was officially recorded at birth as Groom, but was variously shown as Grooms in some census returns. George had three older siblings, Thomas, born 1857, Willoughby George, born 1860 and Ellen, born 1863, all his siblings were born in Sharnford. George attested into the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 10th October 1904 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Sharnford, Leicestershire and his age as 24 years and 3 months, his trade or calling as labourer and his present employer as Croft Stone, in Croft, Leicestershire. He stated that his present home was in Sharnford, Leicestershire and that he was unmarried. He gave his mother, Mary of Sharnford, and his older brother’s Thomas and Willoughby of Clarendon Park, Leicester and his sister Ellen as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5¾ inches in height, weighed 139 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was light brown and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on his right arm. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Militia on the 10th October 1904 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 9088 on the 10/10/04. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) and commenced 49 days drill on the 11/10/04. Enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment on the 12/4/05.
The War Diary records: 23 Oct-14 - The Battalion had relieved the West Yorkshire Regiment on the 21st October at the Chemical Factory at Rue du Bois, they held the trenches and were attacked at dawn and again at 4.30pm. Both attacks were beaten off, they were heavily shelled all day. Casualties were Captain Gruchy killed, Lieutenant Bayfield wounded, six Other Ranks were killed and twenty one were wounded. George was one of seven Leicestershire men who lost their lives on this day.
On Saturday January 9th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOSSES IN THE LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.” – The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment are announced. – KILLED. Private G. Groom.