John Percy Groves

John Percy Groves (26 October 185013 February 1916) was a British author, librarian, and soldier. He wrote stirring adventure stories and information books for boys, all with a military theme, as well as military history, mostly about the Scottish regiments. Early life Groves was born in Bath on 26 October 1850 to John Richard Groves (18031850) and Elizabeth Louisa Groves (née Priaulx) (17901860). His father was a former major in the Rifle Brigade, and his mother was sister to Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx who donated the Priaulx Library to the people of Guernsey. Groves was baptised at Bathwick St Mary, Somerset, on 27 November 1850. In 1861 the census found Groves as a pupil at Wing Rectory in Rutland. This was close to Uppingham School which he may have later attended. He certainly did attend the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, from where in 1867 he purchased a commission as an Ensign.