Henry Gronow in German occupied Radziejow, Poldand.

Further from the previous post another interesting site well worth a read is Scott Neuman's trail of his family in War torn Poland during the German occupation.

The following excerpt describes Henry Gronow & his thoughts on returning to Radziejow, Poland.

"Survivor Henry Gronow was one of several Jewish soldiers from Radziejow.  He was drafted into the Polish Army in 1934.  He served in a Polish cavalry unit. In 1937 he was discharged.  After Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Hitler turned his megalomaniac thoughts  towards peaceful Czechoslovakia.  Soon thereafter,  after purporting that Germans living there were in some sort of danger, the German army occupied the Sudetenland, located in Western Czechoslovakia. It became clear to the government of Poland that Hitler's megalomania was focused on their country. As a result,  Gronow was recalled to active duty.  Within a few months he was again discharged from service.  On the day of the German invasion of Poland he was recalled yet again to serve in the reserves.  After three weeks of combat he was captured by the Germans.  He spent six months at the POW Camp Stalag 2A  that was located near Brandenburg, Germany.  In March 1940 he was taken to Lublin, Poland and released. When he made his way back to Radziejow he first learned that the beloved long serving mayor was removed from office and replaced by a German Burgermeister.  He remembered his first impression of the town after arriving.  He aptly described the town as “dead”. He observed that his fellow Jews who many were his relatives were fearful and fearfully awaited the unspoken inevitable.

 "Even more surprising, despite the dangers involved, Jews were still getting married.  For example, Ms. Kazin Fox and Radziejow Survivor Henry Gronow courted during the occupation. Fox then insisted on the marriage because the courting period was over.  So an informal ceremony was performed by Meir Levine, who was a religious Jew but he was not an ordained rabbi.  Unfortunately their marriage was short lived for within four years Fox was murdered at the extermination camp infamously known as Auschwitz."

To read more about "The Holocaust Effect - The Saga of a Survivor and His Influence On His Descendants" by  Scott Neuman do please visit his blog at POLAND INJUSTICE

Happily Henry survived the war and emigrated to Florida USA. In his obituary  published in Sun-Sentinel on Jan. 4, 2004 it stated:

 "Gronow, Henry, "Henik", 91, of Margate, Florida, formerly of Chicago, Illinois, left us on January 2, 2004. He was a Holocaust survivor. Beloved husband of the late Sylvia (nee Green); devoted son of the late Barish and Chiyah Grojnowski; loving brother of the late Leo (the late Helen) Green, Moishe Aaron, Rebecca, Leah, Liebe Grojnowski; and devoted uncle of Belle (Robert) Kaye and great uncle of many nieces and nephews and loved by all who knew him. Chapel services will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 at 11:45 AM at the Star of David Memorial Chapel & Gardens, 7701 Bailey Rd., N. Lauderdale, Florida."

August 31, 1994
Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation is established in Los Angeles. Its mission is to videotape, before it is too late, the first-person accounts of 50,000 Holocaust survivors and other witnesses.

USC Shoah Foundation Institute testimony of Henry Gronow:
Record Type:    Oral History
Interviewee:    Henry Gronow
Gender:    M
Birth Year:    1912
Birth City:    Radziejów (Warsaw/ Poland)
Birth Country:    Russia/Soviet Russia
Prewar Religious Identity:    orthodox Judaism
Postwar Religious Identity:    conservative Judaism
Camps:
    Zwierzyniec (Poland : Concentration Camp)
    Auschwitz (Poland : Concentration Camp)(generic)
    Gleiwitz (Germany : Concentration Camp)(generic)
    STALAG II A (Neubrandenburg/ Germany : POW Camp)
    Auschwitz III-Monowitz (Poland : Concentration Camp)
    Auschwitz III-Monowitz (Poland : Concentration Camp)
Hiding or False Identity Location:    Czechoslovakia
Location of Liberation:    Czechoslovakia
Liberated By:    armed forces/ United States
Other Experiences:    displaced persons camps
Interview Date:     29th May 1996
Interview Location:    Florida U.S.A.
Interview Length:    1:33:19
VHA Interview Code:    15607
Experience Group:    Jewish Survivor 

Johann Friederich Heinrich GRONOW (1810 - 1897) Coming to America

Jessica Scofield, has kindly allowed me to share her excellent Blog post about part of her Gronow family from Germany.

Johan and Johannah's marriage record. "Gronow" and "Fischer" are underlined.
From microfilm #0069316, page 384, at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah

     In the 1840s, about 100,000 German emigrants arrived in America each year. In 1848, “when it seemed that Germany might be at last a place worth living in,” that number was cut in half. But hopes were dashed, and emigration swelled. Throughout the 1850s, more than 250,000 Germans arrived annually on US shores.¹ “By 1900, almost one third of people born in Mecklenburg lived outside of the state.”² “These emigrants were the best of their race – the adventurous, the independent, the men who might have made Germany a free and civilized county. They brought to the United States a contribution on inestimable value, but they were lost to Germany.”³

Among the waves of immigrants came several of my ancestors, including Johann Friederich Heinrich Gronow, his wife, Johannah Maria (Fischer) Gronow, and some of their children. But why emigrate?

 To read the full post please visit her Blog and enjoy the rest of this fascinating story Johann Friederich Heinrich Gronow

Recently Acquired Certificates

BIRTHS:

Michael J Gronow September Qtr. 1939 East Glamorgan Vol.11a page 1364.

Madeline C Gronow March Qtr. 1940 Cardiff Vol.11a page 795.

Norma Gronow December Qtr. 1944 West Glamorgan Vol.11a page 1494.

Michael J Gronow June Qtr. 1947 Cardiff Vol.8b page 279.

Donald Gronow December Qtr. 1947 Pontypridd Vol.8b page 825.

Robert M Gronow  December Qtr. 1947 Cardiff Vol.8b page 367.

Michael J Gronow December Qtr. 1953 Neath Vol.8b page 531.

Rees Goronwy March Qtr. 1963 Caerleon Vol.8c page 155.

WILLS:

Glanville William Gronow, Probate 25th November 2005.

Joseph Henry Gronow Moses

A Great War Military MBE Belgian Order of The Crown Group of 5 awarded to Q.M & Capt. Joseph Henry Gronow Moses, comprising The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, Hallmarked for 1919, in case issued by Garrard & Co; 1914-1915 Star (2871 Quater Master Sgt Joseph Henry Gronow Moses. York Dns.); 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt. J.H.G.Moses); Belgium, Order of the Crown, Knight’s Breast Badge, with silver palm.

M.B.E. London Gazette, 12 December 1919
Belgium - Order of The Crown London Gazette, 21 October 1919.


Pte. Henry Gronow Moses was born on 9 September 1877 in Manchester. His Great War Attestation papers state previous service with the Queen’s Own Yorkshire Dragoons. He was embodied in the rank of Corporal with the Yorkshire Dragoons 31August 1914; Sergeant 11 October 1914; Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant 29 May 1915; appointed Quartermaster, Honorary Lieutenant 23 September 1915 1/1st Yorkshire Dragoons. He landed in France on 1 August 1915; Demobilised 15 July 1919, rejoined 1921.

On the 4th September 1906 at St. Peter's Church, a district church for part of the township of Hale, Cheshire he married Marion Hudson the dau.of John Schofield Hudson. Marion died on the 19th December 1928 at 67 Aireville Road, Frizinghall, Bradford. Her Administration was made on the 17th May 1929.

In 1939 Joseph was living at 12 Rydal Avenue , Bradford C.B., Yorkshire (West Riding), England, a Railway Clerk.

Joseph Henry Moses Gronow died 31st January 1962 at 29 Marlborough Avenue, Kingston-upon-Hull, his Will was prroved in York on the 6th April that year.

Recently Acquired Certificates

BIRTHS:

Muriel Gronow December Qtr. 1911 Newcastle T. Vol.10b page 68.

John S. Gronow June Qtr. 1920 Elham Vol.2a page 2549.

Ronald Gronow March Qtr. 1928 Bournemouth Vol.2b page 1036.

DEATHS:

Henry Gronou September Qtr. 1857 St. George Hanover Sq. Vol.1a page 155.

Recently Acquired Certificates:

BIRTHS:
Megan M Gronow March Qtr. 1920 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 1346.


MARRIAGES:
Gertrude K Gronow June Qtr. 1977 Ealing Vol.12 page 167.

Recently Acquired Certificates:

BIRTHS:

Patricia M Smith December Qtr.1938 Mansfield Vol.7B page 78.

The Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD's)

"Their sufferings will be great and it is to us that they will look for comfort and relief. That comfort must not be denied them.”
Queen Alexandra, president of the British Red Cross Society in 1914

At the outbreak of the First World War, the British Red Cross and the Order of St John of Jerusalem combined to form the Joint War Committee. They pooled their resources under the protection of the red cross emblem. As the Red Cross had secured buildings, equipment and staff, the organisation was able to set up temporary hospitals as soon as wounded men began to arrive from abroad. One such place was the Pontyclun Red Cross Hospital, Wales.

 

When the call came, two daughters of Samuel and Elizabeth Ann Gronow of Coed Bychan, Llanharan, Glamorganshire volunteered for nursing duties. Gwladys Maud Gronow 22, her sister Edith Mary Gronow 30, both usually helped on their fathers dairy farm, but from January 1915 until March 1918 both worked part time doing nursing duties at Pontyclun. Gwladys worked 300 hours & Edith 700 hrs. Both women were awarded a roll of Honour Certificate.

(Family Tree No.30)

Pontyclun Institute/hospital during WW1, where members of the Llantwit Fardre Red Cross attended on servicemen c.1916

  St Fagans Archive ‏@archifSFarchive 18 Mar 2014

Recently acquired certificates:

BIRTHS   

Gladys Turvey Gronow June Qtr.1909 Kensington. Vol 1a page 102.
Winifred A. T. Gronow June Qtr.1909 Kensington. Vol 1a page 102.

Battle of Trafalgar 1805

       It’s Trafalgar Day

On October 21, 1805, just off Cape Trafalgar in South Western Spain, the British fleet under Admiral Lord Horatio NELSON defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain, sinking 22 ships for the loss of none.

 Serving on board HMS Royal Sovereign was John Gronow a Marine Private (Ship's pay book number: (ML 36)1 March 1805 Catalogue reference: ADM 36/15755)

There were 136 Royal Marines on board the Royal Sovereign during the Battle of Trafalgar. Their job during a sea battle was to stand in the rigging firing on the enemy with their muskets or lobbing grenades whenever an enemy ship was in range and to be ready to repel enemy boarders if required. They might also be expected to help with the guns and guard strategically important positions around the ship, such as the weapon store.   

In his General Order, written the day after the battle when he had assumed command of the fleet following Nelson's death, Admiral Collingwood wrote:  "Where can I find language to express my sentiments of the valour and skill which were displayed by the Officers, the Seamen and Marines in the battle with the enemy, where every individual appeared a hero on whom the glory of his country depended?"   

In Rememberance of:

Sarah Myfanwy Gronow
1918 - 2015

Daughter of Mr & Mrs Howells

Passed Peacefully on the 22nd September 2015, Penclawdd, Swansea.
(Tree 20)

Clive Gronow

1954 - 2015
Son of William & Violet Gronow

Passed Peacefully on the 22nd September 2015, Ely Cardiff.
(Tree 4)

William Jeffrey Gronow Davis

1941 - 2015
Son of Jack & Millicent Davis

Passed Peacefully on Sunday 20th September at 'Rushmore' Dorset.
(Tree 14)

2015's bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo

Reminiscences of Captain Rees Howell Gronow, 

Formerly of the Grenadier Guards, and M.P. for Stafford. 

"It has been my lot to have lived through the greater part of one of the
most eventful centuries of England's history, and I have been thrown
amongst most of the remarkable men of my day; whether soldiers,
statesman, men of letters, theatrical people, or those whose birth and
fortune--rather, perhaps, than their virtues or talents--have caused
them to be conspicuous in society at home or abroad.  Nature having
endowed me with a strong memory, I can recall with all their original
vividness scenes that took place fifty years ago, and distinctly
recollect the face, walk, and voice, as well as the dress and general
manner, of everyone whom I have known. I have frequently repeated to my
friends what I have seen and heard since the year that I joined the
Guards (1813), and have been urged to commit to paper my anecdotes and
reminiscences."

Listen to a description of the Battle read by Joseph W. Gronow 

Peter Gronow

 In Memory of:

Peter J. D. Gronow

1929- 24th April 2015

Pilot & Chartered Engineer.

Winner of the Albert Codling Trophy 1987 for his Wolf Boredom Fighter.

Recently acquired certificates:

BIRTHS:
Elizabeth Gronow December Qtr. 1860 Bridgend Vol.11a page 374

MARRIAGES:
Jane Gronow March Qtr. 1903 Newcastle T. Vol.10b page 19
Bertram Gronow June Qtr.1918 Bridgend Vol.11a page 1375.
 

Damaging Telegraph Poles

DAMAGING TELEGRAPH

 POLES

POST OFFICE PROSECUTION

At Llangollen, yesterday, before Lord Trevor and other magistrates, five youths employed at the Brynkinallt Collieries, Chirk, and named M. Gabriel, Harold Gronow, Bert Gronow, Sam Harrison, and Bert Roberts, were charged with damaging telegraph poles and insulators near Chirk Castle park gates on April 19. Mr E.A. Pearson prosecuted for the Postmaster General. Police Constable Matthews said that when concealed near the park gates at 4.30 in the morning, when the youths ere going to work at the collieries, he saw them throwing stones at the insulators, and afterwards collected a quantity of broken porcelain under the poles. For the Postmaster-General, Mr Pearson said that he had the line inspected on April 30, and found that no fewer than fourteen insulators were broken in a length of one mile between Chirk and the park gates. Against all of the defendants but Bert Gronow previous convictions for larceny were quoted, and they were sent to hard labour for one month each: Bert Gronow being fined £1.

{Liverpool Daily Post, 9th June 1915}

Harold & Albert Gronnow were the children of William Frederick Gronnow & Sarah Jane Whittaker.

Life Guards of the Household Cavalry

Congratulations to:

Owen J. Gronow

for gaining a coverted place within the Lifeguards, as a Household Cavalry - Junior Entry - Mounted Duty.

Best wishes & Good luck with his chosen career from his very proud parents, his brothers & sister.

David R. Gronow

In Memoriam

David Rodney Gronow

1944 - 28th August 2014

David collapsed and died while watching his beloved Yorkshire Cricket Club. David from Huddersfield, was a popular figure in league cricket and was the former captain of Armitage Bridge Cricket Club. He was perhaps best known for his work as club historian for the Huddersfield Giants.

David was the Grandson of Ben Gronow who was one of the best rugby league forwards in the world during the mid 1920’s, and was the only player from an English club to move to Australia in the first 50 years of the game Down Under.
 Funeral Service at Huddersfield Crematorium on Wednesday September 10th 2014 at 10.00 a.m.
{First Published in the Huddersfield Examiner on 3rd September 2014}

The Way to a Name

When I stumbled upon Caroline Linden’s novel ‘The Way to a Duke’s Heart’, I was bemused by the appearance of a one Maria Gronow, a coquettish, “ethereally beautiful” woman whose family is “a bit dodgy, if you believe the gossip.” It would have been easy to take offence at her mother, the crowing Mrs Gronow, or indeed the “damned wrong” Mr Gronow, if it were not for the inimitable decency of their fair daughter. When I messaged Caroline Linden about her inspiration for the name Gronow, she explained that during her research (take note writers of historical fiction), she chanced upon the reminiscences of our very own Captain Rees Gronow, the Welsh Grenadier Guards officer, and took a fancy to the name. The Gronows in ‘The Way to a Duke’s Heart’ are entirely fictional, but it is nonetheless entertaining to discover that your surname has found its way into the pages of a bestselling book!

Find the novel at Caroline Linden’s site: http://www.carolinelinden.com

 

Recently acquired certificates:

BIRTHS:

Cordilia Maria Gronow June Qtr. 1877 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 347
Maria Gronow June Qtr. 1879 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 354
William Gronow March Qtr. 1881 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 342
Joseph Sydney Gronow June Qtr. 1892 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 599
Leonard Gronow June Qtr. 1892 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 663
Beryl E. Gronow September Qtr. 1925 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 1262

Royal Welsh Ladies Choir

A musical memory of:
Gertrude Martha Gronow

1883-1966

&

Lilian Gronow

1906-1989

"As long as we live, there is never enough singing"

~Martin Luther

Tours of Canada & The United States of America

Royal Welsh Ladies Choir here on Friday.

The Royal Welsh Ladies Choir a chorus of fourteen voices under the leadership of Miss Gertrude Gronow will give a concert at 8 o'clock Friday evening at the Eirat Methodist church under the auspices of the Seneca Men's class of that church. The singers have been appearing in various cities in the State and have been received enthusiastically whefever they have appeared. Among their recent engagements were concerts in Elmitra, Olean, Bradford, Scranton and Youngs-Town.
Miss Gronow assembled the choir and brought it to America from her native home in Wales and she is the conductor of the choir as well as organiser. The singers will appear in costume and will present a varied program including songs in welsh as well as operatic numbers and familiar folk tunes. Solos and duet numbers will feature the program.
The choir met Queen Marie of Roumania on her arrival in Toronto the past year and Miss Gronow was received by the Queen.Among the notables and royalty before whom the choir members have presented their program is the Prince of Wales. Miss Gronow and Miss Jennie Ellis, a soloist in the choir on one of their tours Sang for Charles Evans Hughes in the State House, Albany, during his term as governor of New York state.
[Geneva Daily Times; Wednesday 23rd February 1927]

Welsh Choir to Sing

A musical event of unusual importance is promised in the visit to Cuba of the Royal Welsh Ladies choir, which will sing at the Presbyterian church next week Saturday, Feb. 5th. It is conducted by Miss Gertrude Gronow of Caerphilly, Wales. She has performed under royal patronage, and the Prince of Wales has expressed keen delight in the music rendered by her choir.
As a child Miss Gronow attracted notice in musical festivals and at length was engaged by Madame Hughes Thomas, well known in Canada and the United States, to tour on this side of the Atlantic. During the War she took prominent part in concerts for soldiers and sailors and in hospitals.
Miss Gronow has gathered a combination of voices of rare quality. Those who have heard Welsh choirs will not fail to attend this concert, as the singers of her race are renowned for their quality.
[The Cuba Patriot. N.Y. Friday January 28th 1927]

 

Mme. Gertrude Gronow and her Royal Welsh Ladies Chorus will appear in a concert Monday night Jan 31st at the Binghamton Central High school, under the auspices of the Men's Billy Sunday class of the Boulevard Methodist Episcopal church.
This organisation contains 14 women singers, most of them from the town of Caerphilly, a musical center within a dozen miles of Cardiff, capital of Wales. The group has appeared in all parts of Great Britain and on the continent and have sung by command, before the Prince of Wales and other royal personages. His Royal Highness was so impressed by their singing that he sent a letter of appreciation to Miss Gronow, and the choir received many engagements to appear in exclusive circles. Its initial appearance in the United States is the result of a nationwide appeal from musical communities.
Choral singing by women has become quite the vogue in Great Britian, and the Royal Welsh Ladies include some of the best known women vocalists in Wales and surrounding territory. Among them are: Mme Gronow, conductor; Miss Jennie Ellis, soprano five times a blue ribbon winner. Miss Louise Davis, Welsh soprano twice blue ribbon winner; Miss May John soprano, semi national winner; Miss Annie Flook; Mme Benjamin Thomas; Miss Mary Evans; Miss Gwenno Jones; Miss Gwen Maddox; Miss Ida W. Stevens; Miss Gladys Horgest; Miss Lilian Gronow.
[The Binghamton Press, Friday Evening January 7th 1927]

Again on the 8th October 1927 the choir left Southampton England bound for New York aboard the Cunard RMS Mauritania: The ships log lists the following members of the Royal Welsh Ladies Choir, together with their (ages). Gertrude Gronow, conductor: (44); Catherine Gowe, musician (32); Henrietta Veale, musician (22); Sarah Lewis, musician (37); Annie May John, musician (26); Grace Battinan, musician (21) Phoebe Northall, musician (20); Gwendoline Jenkins, musician (25); Morfydd Davies, musician (23); Eleanor Williams, musician (18); Doris Richards, musician (23); Sarah Williams, musician (31); Lilian Gronow, musician (21); Dorothy Hambly, musician (25)   (Lilian Gronow was the niece of Mme Gertrude Gronow).