ARTHUR GREGORY 

Gregory, Arthur (Pte.)

St. Marys’ R.o.H. records an A. Gregory, Arthur is also on the main “Fallen” Memorial.

 

Northwich Guardian 1916, 2nd June, (P5/C4);   LOCAL MAN WOUNDED

News has reached Mr. and Mrs. Allen Gregory of Beech Lane, Weaverham, that their son, Private Arthur Gregory, of the Cheshires is in the Field General Hospital, having been wounded in the shoulder. He is reported to be going on well. Before enlisting he was employed by Messrs Crawford and Hulse, builders of Hartford.

 

Northwich Guardian 1917, 19th Oct., (P5/C1);    PRIVATE ARTHUR GREGORY

After serving three years with the Colours Private Arthur Gregory, son of Mr. & Mrs Allen Gregory of 27 Beech Road, Weaverham, has been killed in action. In civil life he was in the employment of Messrs Crawford and Hulse, builders. Mrs Gregory’s first intimation of her sons death was in the following letter received from Lieutenant G. Stapleton, Reads; “It is with greatest regret I write to inform you of the death of your son, Private A. Gregory. Your loss is shared by all the officers and men of his company, to whom he had endeared himself as a keen soldier and good comrade. I hope it may be some slight consolation to you to know that your son died fighting for his country and that his death was instantaneous. Please accept my sincerest sympathy.”    VILLAGE PAL’S LETTER    Private R. Collier, of Weaverham writing to Mrs Gregory, says, “I feel certain that by now you have heard of your sons death, but I felt that it is my painful duty to write a letter to you to show you that Arthur has at least one village pal near him when he was killed. It was while we were going into the reserve trenches that a large enemy shell came over and killed Arthur. He did not suffer any pain, as death came as soon as he was hit.

We had been together in the early part of the day and had a cup of tea together in the Y.M.C.A. only a few hours before he was killed. Little did we think then that we had so soon to be parted, but “Gods will be done.” and one consolation we all have is that he died fighting for God, King and country. If I can possibly do anything for you let me know and I will do my best for you. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great loss and also give my sympathy to all his relations.”

 

C.W.G.C. - remembers Arthur at RIDGE WOOD MILITARY CEMETERY, Belgium, his death at 28, is recorded as Wednesday 3rd October 1917. He was with the 1st Bn. Cheshire Regimental No 14767. Son of Allen and Mary Gregory of 14 Wilbraham Rd., Weaverham.  Inscription; “LOVED BY ALL”

N.A.M.C. - have a medal card for Arthur, confirming he was with the Cheshires, with Regimental No 14767, Private, K.I.A. 3rd Oct 1917, Theatre of War; France, Date of Entry; 26th Sept. 1915. Awarded British, Victory and 15 Star medals.

 

A limited number of Arthur service documents are available to view. He was attested on the 1st Sept 1914 at Northwich and his service “reckons” from that date. He was 25yrs 8m, single and a Labourer. On the 15/9/14 he was posted with the 10th Bn., Cheshire Regt. with Service No 14767. He was still with the 10th Bn. when he went with the Exp. Force to France on 26/9/15. The documents record he rejoined from the Exp. Force on 5/6/16 and was posted again on the 18/1/17. The documents record Arthur was K.I.A. 3/10/17. At this time the home address for Mr. & Mrs. A. Gregory was 27 Beach Lane, Weaverham.

 

The 1911 census has the Gregory family living at Copy Hold; Father, Allen (46) head of the family, wife Mary (55), with daughter, Annie Taylor (25) and 3 grandchildren and son Arthur (23), born in Weaverham, his occupation is Labourer, Chemical. (The Guardian article 2nd June 1916, states employed by Messrs Crawford and Hulse, builders of Hartford, when enlisting. The 1911 census makes reference to “Labourer, Chemical.” The B. M. & Co R.o.H. booklet does not appear to list an Arthur Gregory that marries up with this Arthur. )

Researched Bob Heaton