Daniel's Story.
Lance Corporal Daniel Gregory
Service No 16589
2nd Battalion, The Machine Gun Corps
KIA, Belgium 7th June 1917
Age 26
Address 44 Byron Street, Runcorn
Daniel was born in Runcorn to James (died 1898 aged 37) and Frances (died 1927 age 67) Gregory and worked at the Salt Union works at Weston point. In the 1911 census his employment is listed as a boiler stoker. He was one of 6 brothers living at the above address in 1911. Also living there was George W Molyneux who worked at Castner Kelner and was awarded the MM, serving in the 13th Cheshires as Reg No 11002, who died on 10/8/17
He enlisted at Wrexham into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, service number 17332 in September 1915 with a group of 13 footballers from Weston Point, this included Richard Bloor and John Woodcock also from the Salt Works. Daniel entered France on 27th March 1915, whereas Bloor entered 18th May and Woodcock on the 25th May. He was wounded in the head, after which he returned home on sick leave for 10 weeks.
He then returned as a member of the M.G.C. and his parents received the following letter from his lieutenant.
“I am writing on behalf of the men of this section and myself to express our sincere sympathy with you in your recent bereavement. I was with your son when he was killed at about 03:33am on the 7th June. He was killed by a shell which burst in the trench, and he died instantaneously, which is a great blessing, as I am sure you will realise. He was buried by a C of E chaplain in the Military Cemetery, and a cross with his name on it erected over his grave.
As your sons section officer since he joined the company, I should like to express my sincere appreciation of the soldierly qualities he possessed. He was a first class gunner and absolutely without fear, he was, too, I know, very good pals with all the men in the section”.
He is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, which is about 2 miles north of Ypres, Belgium, Plot III, Row H, Grave 4.
He is also commemorated on the Runcorn War Memorial on Greenway Road.
Of Daniels brothers
Two of them worked at the salt works in the 1911 census
Thomas W Gregory as a joiners labourer and James Gregory also a joiners labourer.
The Salt Union Roll of Honour has a number of Gregorys having enlisted, from research the following can be deduced.
Frank Gregory, the youngest brother joined the Cheshire Regiment as Reg No 10305, on 14th Aug 1914, 10th Bttn but was injured and awarded the Silver War Badge, being discharged on 24th May 1916. Frank was only 13 in 1911.
Research is on going regarding the other brothers
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth with assistance from Percy Dunbavand