Walter Groves

Walter Groves (1856–1906) was a British actor, comedian, music hall artist, and writer of the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras.

In 1900 Groves became the first spoken-word comedian hired by the Fred Karno Company[9] (which was previously associated with silent, slapstick comedy to evade the theatre's censors)[9] originating the role of Sgt.

[10] He reprised this performance for a brief period the following year,[11] with the production renamed His Majesty’s Guests to reflect the death of Queen Victoria and the accession of Edward VII.

According to Fred Karno,[12][13][14] Walter Groves devised the “funny walk” that Charlie Chaplin incorporated into his Little Tramp film persona, which then became world famous.

[17] Early February 1906, Groves died in Blackpool while on a recuperative holiday in an attempt to fight the lung condition that killed him.