On this day in 1878

At Bridgend Petty Sessions on Saturday (before the Rev. C.R. Knight and Col. Turbervill), Enoch Gronow, farmer, Drehir Farm was charged by another farmer named William Butler, Caegarw, near Brynmenin, with stealing five turnips from his field. Mr Thomas Stockwood Jnr. appeared for the defendant, who was dismissed, the bench considering the evidence against him rather contradictory. (Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales.) Monday November 18th 1878 Issue 2974)

Enoch Gronow was the son of Thomas & Mary Gronow of Drehir Farm, Llangeinor. According to the 1871 Census Enoch is living with his parents on the farm,(described as a Blacksmith) living next door is a Thomas Buttler of Caegarw a Bailiff. (RG10/5414 Folio 117 page 8.)

"Lest we Forget"

Let us remember not only the fallen on this, the ninetieth anniversary of the Armistice, which brought the First World War to an end, but all those that entered into that conflict.
The list below is a combination of names taken from the Medal Roll, Service & Pension Records of men who served in the Army during 1914-1918.
If you can add information to those on the list, please leave a comment in the space provided.

Capt. Stephen Gronow 1872-1944

1 of 4 children, Stephen was born at Llandeloy near Solva, Pembrokeshire, the son of John & Frances (nee Nicholas) Gronow. When both his parents died young the orphaned boy was cared for by Capt. Thomas Evans of the Black Horse, Dinas Cross. Thomas was Master of the Mispah. Stephen’s brother John died whilst on his 1st voyage as 2nd mate aboard the Mispah. Stephen became Master of the following vessels: Ascania, Volodia, Saxonia, Valacia, Vardulia, he was also an officer on the Aquitania.
During WW1 he was mentioned in despatches for good services whilst employed on transport duties in the Dardanelles(Times 1st June 1916 & London Gazette 31st May 1916) He was awarded a Silver vase by Cunard Co. and Lloyd’s silver medal in connection with the loss of the “Vinovia” of which he was the Master. (Anglo-Bolivian was purchased by Cunard in 1916 and renamed Vinovia, she was sunk when on passage from New York to London on the 19th December 1917 8 miles south of Wolf Rock by U-105. Torpedoed at 3:30pm without warning and sunk by submarine, with 9 lives lost) Stephen was awarded Lloyd’s Medal for meritorious service on the 13th Feb 1918 for his extraordinary exertions with his encounter with U-105.
He also invented & patented (No.20,753) Improvements in and connected with the Storage and Lowering of Ships Boats.
Stephen married his wife Jennie Sharpe in West Derby Registry Office in 1903. And both now lie together in St.Michael’s church, Nannerch Flintshire. Wales.

On this day in 1898

At Pontypridd Police Court on Wednesday Nicholas Gronow a commercial traveller, Llanbradach Street Cardiff was charged with forging a cheque for £20 and embezzling the sums of £20 & £2 18s moneys belonging to his employers messrs Corfield Son & Co Cardiff. Evidence was given which alleged that the defendant obtained a cheque for £20 from John Williams Builder of Aberdare. Gronow was committed to the assizes on these charges bail being allowed himself in £100 and two sureties of £50.

Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), Wednesday, November 2, 1898; Issue 9187

Nicholas it would seem stayed in the shadows, no Birth, Death or Census entry can be found for him (unless you know different?)