Private J Gravency served with the Sherwood Foresters around the beginning of the 20th Century. He served with both the 1st and 2nd Battalions and had regimental number 3978. 

Gravency initially served with the 2nd Battalion in the Tirah Campaign of 1897-8. After the campaign he joined the 1st Battalion. Gravency soon gained good conduct pay, as reported in I’m 95 magazine, in January 1899. The year 1899 was also the year of Gravency promotion to Lance Corporal, which he was paid for by December 1899 (also reported in I’m 95). 

Gravency saw other campaigns with the 1st Battalion; the Second Boer War (1899-1902). He was posted to “H” Company upon return from duty with the Base Company at East London on the 2nd of June 1900. Gravency was both taken prisoner and wounded during the course of his service in this campaign. 

He was taken prisoner at Vlakfontein on the 29th of May 1901. It was all bar two companies who left camp that morning, the advanced guard being under Major Chase and consisting of “H” Company along with two hundred and thirty yeomanry. At an area with low visibility and little to no cover, a veldt fire attack from the enemy occurred by the unprotected left flank. There was little time for “H” Company to grasp the situation and they were outnumbered roughly five or six to one. In his Regimental History, Wylly writes, “Of the hundred men in 'H' Company that day, Colour-Sergeant Herrod brought only twenty-eight out of action at the close of the fight.” This was due to the Boers going through “H” Company and turning the British guns on the survivors. It can be assumed that it was at this time when Gravency was taken prisoner. 

It is not recorded when Gravency rejoined the Battalion, but he the date of his court enquiry is recorded as the 13th of October 1901. He was exonerated of any blame. However, he was deprived of his Lance Corporals stripe in August 1901.  

Only a month later, Gravency was slightly wounded in the back, on the 30th of September 1901. This was at Moedwil, during an early morning surprise attack on the camp by the Boers. It resulted in the deaths of 21 Foresters and injured 42 (including Caveney). The British were able to push the Boers into retreat but, the battle lasted over twenty-four hours before they were able to do so. Gravency was promoted to Corporal for gallantry in the field on this day. 

He was moved to the army reserve after the campaign. Sadly, Gravency would die later that decade and so his medals from the Second Boer War would be returned to Woolwich for this reason.