Personal Details
Born in Wrenbury, Nantwich, Cheshire in 1895, the eldest son of Joseph Charles and Martha Gregory of 62 Village Green, Wrenbury, Nantwich, Cheshire.
The 1911 Census shows Harold employed as a cowman on Sandford farm, Aston, Nantwich.
Harold was taken prisoner of war some time in 1914 (he is reported as missing in October 1914, presumed taken as prisoner). We know he was in the Sennelager POW camp in January 1915 and was likely to still be a POW when he died from pulmonary tuberculosis, presumed 20 February 1916.
Military Details
Regiment : 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment
Rank : Private
Service Number : 9998
Died of illness; Germany 20th February 1916 Aged 21
The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.
The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
Further Information
Report in the Chester Chronicle 23rd October 1915 about Harold Gregory
"Mrs. Henry Tollemache has received further acknowledgements of the parcels of comforts sent from Nantwich to prisoners of war in Germany. Pte. H. Gregory writes to Mrs. Tollemache:-
"Dear Madam,- Just a line to let you know I receive your parcels, for which I cannot express my thanks fully on paper. I am in hospital and have been for the past six months, but am getting better and hope to be all right soon. I would be very thankful if you would send me a pair of boots (size 8), as I am in want of footwear. Hoping you will receive postcard safe.-Yours sincerely, H. Gregory.""
Chester Chronicle 23rd October 1915
Report in the Cheshire Observer giving an official list of names of the missing
"It has for some weeks been surmised that in the early days of the War the Cheshires sustained very heavy losses, but not until to-day was the full extent of the disaster which has befallen the regiment made known. We give below a full list of the non-commissioned officers and men who were to-day, at the Depot at the Castle, officially notified as being missing from the regiment since August 23 and August 24, the days of the fighting at Mons. Many of the missing have no doubt been taken prisoners, but it is feared that many were killed, and their bodies left on the field when the British Forces made their brilliant retreat on to Paris. In all the list of missing contains 601 names, the various grades being as follows:-
Warrant Officer 1
Co. Sergt. Majors 3
Co. Quartermaster-Sergt 1
Sergeants 2
Lance-Sergeants 8
Corporals 21
Drummers 12
Lance-Corporals and Men 533
Total 6018001 Bandsman D. Dolan
10,047 Pte. J. Davies
8208 Pte. A .Flynn
9998 Pte. H. Gregory
8624 Pte. R. Holman
6913 Pte. H. Haworth
9184 Pte. A. Hughes
7259 LanceCorpl. W. Howard"
Cheshire Observer 3rd October 1914
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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives