An Excellent & Early "Old Contemptible" 1914 Star & Bar, (Polygon Wood) "Casualty" Trio.
To:
11447 Pte R.GROGAN. 1st Bn Liverpool Regt.
(1st Battle of Ypres)
(Finally recorded on the Menin Gate Addenda Panel in 2009)

KILLED IN ACTION at Noord Westhoek 27th October 1914.

[BIOGRAPHY]
Robert GROGAN was born in Leeds in 1895. He aged 6 and his parents John and Sarah are shown on the 1911 census living at 2 Low Clesc ?Place,Leeds. His father was a brickmaker aged 36. They had a lodger, Gertrude Turner who was a leather & lace maker age 25. Based on his service number Robert joined the regiment in late 1912 or early 1913 and was a classic pre-war regular soldier.

[TO FRANCE]
The 1st Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment arrived at Le Havre on 13th August 1914 just nine days after the declaration of war and was one of the first elements of the B.E.F to enter France. Their ships SS Irrawaddy & SS Cawdor had left Southampton at 08:00am on 12th August.
Robert Grogan and his unit took part in several of the earliest actions of the war:
1) Battle of Mons & Retreat
2) Battle of The Marne
3) Battle of The Aisne
4) 1st Battle of Ypres







[THE ACTION AT POLYGON WOOD]
In late October of 1914 the 1st Liverpool's were positioned in the front line positions just to the South of Polygon Wood near Ypres where much exchange of fire was taking place. On 27th October the Germans were shelling the British line and there was great activity by snipers of the Prussian Guard. British ammunition was running short and several Liverpool men were killed while carrying rifle ammunition boxes from rear positions up to the firing line. Robert Grogan was very likely one of those men.
He was just 20 years old.

The Times newspaper of January 13th 1915 carries the names of 21 soldiers of the 1st Liverpool's who were killed in action during this and other actions in September & October of 1914. Robert Grogan's name is on that list.

Robert's body was never recovered and he has no known grave. Having been initially omitted from the casualty naming list, he was finally commemorated with eternal honour on the Menin Gate, Ypres during 2009 on the addenda panel.

An excellent and very rare early entrant & casualty with 1st Liverpool Regiment. A 1st Battle of Ypres casualty. Medals are EF+ with original mint ribbons. Group comes with various copy papers including MIC, 1901 census & CGW items.

£795