Avro Early Investors - The Groves Family (2/2)

1910s

Another of James Grimble Groves' sons was Robert Marsland, brother of William Peer. Robert Marsland had joined the Royal Navy and risen through the ranks of the Royal Naval Air Service serving in WW1 as Assistant Director of the Air Department at the Admiralty, and as Officer Commanding 1 Sqn RNAS before returning to the Admiralty as Assistant Secretary of the Air Board.

He transferred to the newly created RAF and as Air Commodore became Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and Acting Air Officer Commanding RAF Middle East Area and Air Officer Commanding Egyptian Group.

Sadly, he was killed in May 1920 when his Bristol Fighter crashed after an engine failure on take-off in Egypt.

(Monochrome Photograph Top Right) - Robert Marsland Groves

A third brother, Major Keith Grimble Groves though an army officer was awarded an OBE for services to the RAF who was perhaps the first army officer to have received such an accolade.

Keith's son Sgt Louis Grimble Groves was an RAF Volunteer, who flew as a Meteorological Air Observer in a Halifax bombers of 517 Sqn lost his life while returning from a meteorological sortie in September 1945. In response, Keith founded the LG Groves Awards which comprises four annual awards for air safety and meteorology which continues to be awarded annually.

(Colour Photographs Bottom Left) - SALFORD LADS CLUB FC - Scan QR Code below for more information

The Groves and Whitnall Brewery was taken over by Greenhall
Whitley in 1962 and finally closed in 1972 but the Groves family not only maintain their family tradition of philanthropy and strong aviation links but are still actively involved with the Salford Lads' Club.