author
J. Percy (John Percy) Groves
A British soldier, librarian, and storyteller, he wrote brisk adventure tales for young readers and solid military histories rooted in firsthand experience. His books often blend action with a strong interest in army life and regimental tradition.
1 Audiobook
The War of the Axe; Or, Adventures in South Africa
by J. Percy (John Percy) Groves
About the author
Born in Bath in 1850, John Percy Groves built a career that joined military service, librarianship, and writing. Sources describe him as a British author, soldier, and the first librarian of the Priaulx Library in Guernsey, a role that fits neatly with his long interest in military history and records.
He wrote adventure stories and informational books for boys, usually with a military flavor, and he also produced histories of British regiments, especially Scottish units. That mix of vivid storytelling and factual detail helps explain why his work can feel both energetic and historically minded.
Groves died in 1916. Today he is mainly remembered for his military-themed fiction, including The War of the Axe, and for historical works that reflect his deep enthusiasm for the army and its traditions.