GEOFFREY W. GROVES

AN APPRECIATION (BWISC Bulletin September 1967)

The news of the sudden and unexpected death of Geoffrey Groves on the 8th June came as a great shock to his many friends.  He passed away peacefully in his sleep after spending a happy day in his garden.

Having collected stamps for over 60 years, he had formed an extensive collection of maritime markings of all kinds, and he was keenly interested in the postal history of his native county, Dorset.

Apart from these studies he gradually limited his general collection to the B.W.I., and in recent years he confined his attentions principally to Antigua and St. Vincent, the early classics of which always appealed to him.

He was a Fellow of the "Royal," and had served in some official capacity in nearly every one of the many societies to which he belonged.  In 1965 he was awarded the Philatelic Congress Medal for outstanding services rendered over a number of years, and in the following year was elected Chairman of the Permanent Congress Executive Committee.  He has received numerous awards at International Exhibitions, and was always willing to give displays at Society meetings.

We in the Study Circle will miss the friendship and helpful guidance which Geoffrey Groves always gave so readily. He was a founder member, has served on the general committee and on the publications sub-committee since it was formed, while more recently he was elected President of the Circle.

His genial good nature and his unselfish readiness to share his knowledge and to help others, endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.  We extend our deepest sympathy to his Widow and his family in their great loss.