George's Story.
George Gregory was born in 1892 and lived with his parents Joseph, a railway platelayer, and Elizabeth and his two siblings in Back Lane, Plumley, Cheshire. He was a joiner and a wheelwright on the estate and a long-standing member of the Territorial Army and at the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Cheshire Yeomanry, service number 1356 - a regiment raised by the ancestor of Lord Tabley, on whose land he was now a tenant.
Prior to going overseas he transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Prince of Wales Volunteers (South Lancashire) Regiment and given the service number 31581. It is not known why he transferred but he did have two nephews in that regiment at the time.
George was killed in action on the 21st October 1916.
On that fateful day:
The 2nd and 8th South Lancashires were involved in operations to clear the northern end of the Thiepval Ridge, in particular successfully storming the Stuff and Regina trenches there on 21sst in the battle of the Ancre Heights.
Note:
A letter was received from Private E. Lea (who later went on to win the Military Medal), of the same regiment confirming the news. He writes:
'I regret to inform you that George was killed in action on Saturday 21st Oct. He is sadly missed by all of us as we were all very fond of him. He was a good pal and his comrades and chums join with me in sending heartfelt sympathy to his mother.'
Researched and compiled by Tony Davies.