Private Albert Henry Gregory, SD/1648

  • Batt - 12
  • Unit - Royal Sussex Regiment
  • Section -
  • Date of Birth - 1897
  • Died - 30/06/1916
  • Age - 19

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Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edmund Gregory an ironstone labourer, born 1874 in Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire and his wife Charlotte Anne Gregory (nee Stapleford, married in the 3rd quarter of 1896 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1874 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire. Albert Henry, was born in the 1st quarter of 1897 in Nether Broughton, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Lucy Rebecca, born 1899 and Edmund, born 1901, both his siblings were born in Nether Broughton, in March 1901 the family home was at Nether Broughton. In April 1911 Albert was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Nether Broughton, together with his father, an iron stone labourer, his mother and siblings, Lucy, a schoolgirl, Edmund a schoolboy and Herbert, born 1907 in Nether Broughton. Albert was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 30 Jun-16 – FERME DU BOIS. 3.05am. Battalion attacked enemy front and support line and succeeded in entering same. The support line was occupied for about ½ hour and the front line for 4 hours. The withdrawal was necessitated by the supply of bombs and ammunition giving out and the heavy enemy barrage on our front line and communication trenches, prevented reinforcements being sent forward. Operation orders are attached to Diary. The Battalion was relieved by the 14th HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT at 10.00am and marched to LES LOBES after resting at RICHBOURG.
Casualties 30/6/16: Other ranks. Killed, 21. Missing reported killed, 35. Wounded, 236. Missing, 120. Total 412.
List of Officer casualties attached.
Officers’ Casualties during engagement of 30th June 1916.
Lieutenant Colonel IMPEY, G. H. Wounded.
Captain COTTON, A. N. Killed in action.
Lieutenant BOYS, S. C. Wounded.
Lieutenant SPARKS, C. Killed in action.
Lieutenant ROBINSON, H. C. T. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant FENCHELLE, G. J. Killed in action.
2nd Lieutenant AMBLER, G. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant ARKCOLL, F. T. Killed in action.
2nd Lieutenant HANBY, F. J. Missing.
2nd Lieutenant MOODY, L. L. Killed in action.
2nd Lieutenant MERCER, J. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant DORMAN, C. C. B. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant MOYLE, F. W. Missing.
2nd Lieutenant ARDILL, J. Missing.
2nd Lieutenant SWALLOW, S. H. Missing.
2nd Lieutenant MASON, F. A. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant SALBERG, J. B. Missing.
On Friday July 14th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – NETHER BROUGHTON. – MISSING AND BELIEVED KILLED. – On Wednesday morning the following letter was received by Mrs. E. Gregory, of this village:- “Dear Madam, - I am extremely sorry to have to inform you that your son is missing, and I am afraid dead, though there is just a chance he may have been captured, when wounded, by the enemy. As you will have no doubt have heard this battalion took part in a small engagement when we suffered a good deal ourselves, but I am glad to say inflicted greater losses on the enemy. Your son behaved with extreme gallantry, and had he come back would, I feel certain, have been recommended for a decoration. He was one of those who penetrated into the third line trenches of the enemy, where after killing several of his foes, I am afraid he was himself killed, though, as I said above, there is just a chance he was only wounded, and afterwards took prisoner. Please accept from the only remaining officer of the company, and myself our deepest sympathy with your loss. – Yours Sincerely, H. K. Robinson.” Pte. Albert Gregory joined the same company as Pte. E. Miller, and we believe, fell at the same time. He was a great favourite with his battalion, and was only 19 years of age. Our sympathy goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Gregory in their deep trouble.
On Friday July 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – NETHER BROUGHTON. – MEMORIAL SERVICE. – A fine tribute of respect and admiration for two brave lads was paid on Sunday evening, when the village church had practically every seat filled, the occasion being a memorial service for the late Ptes. E. Miller and A. Gregory, both of this village, and both in the same company of the 12th Sussex Regt. We should perhaps state that there is “just a chance” to use the officer’s words, that Pte. Gregory was taken prisoner, but they fear he has been killed. Pte. Miller was well known locally as a cricketer, and many were present who had been comrades in many a keenly fought game on the cricket field. In the absence of the Rector, the service was conducted by the Rev. A. H. Steacy, of Ecclesfield, who is acting as locum tenens, and who preached an eloquent discourse on the text “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” This, he said, we must all set up to. Tonight we meet to honour the memory of two brave lads who went forth at duty’s call to fight for King and country. One, E. Miller, was at one time a member of the choir, a scholar in the Sunday School, and also, I am told fond of manly sport, ever ready to take his place in the cricket field, of a cheerful disposition, and merry and bright. From his officer’s letter, he carried the same cheery spirit with him to that horrible place, the battlefield, and there as in his games he was eager and ready, until an enemy’s bullet found his heart. The other, a mere lad, but still as eager as his comrades, died pressing on to the third line trench of the enemy. We feel they will get the “Well done, good and faithful servant” for they were fighting for their fellow men and loved ones at home, and although we mourn their loss, we feel they have set us a fine example, and been “faithful unto death.” Some of the hymns were chosen by the relatives as favourites of the deceased. There was nothing sombre about the service, and during the singing of hymn 304 (a. and m.) there seemed an inspiration in the singing as the words came forth “crown Him, the Lord of Peace, Whose power a sceptre sways, from pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.” At the close the Dead March in “Saul” was played on the organ by Miss Lovett.
On Friday May 4th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “NETHER BROUGHTON” – LOCAL SOLDIER’S DEATH.- Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Gregory, of this village, who have just been informed that “no further news having been received relative to No. 1648 Pte. Albert Gregory, of the Royal Sussex Regiment, the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead and that his death took place on June 30th 1916.” Pte. Gregory was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Gregory, and was in a hot battle when he, with others of the Royal Sussex, penetrated to the third line trenches of the enemy. He was noticed by his comrades to have been wounded badly, but was never seen again. Ever since June 30th the parents have been in anxious suspense. A memorial service was held in the Parish Church, the Rev. F. Challenor, Rector of Broughton Sulney, being the preacher, Suitable hymns were sung, and the “Dead March” in “Saul” was played by Miss Lovett on the organ.

Leicestershire Project Findings
  • Conflict - World War I
Research from Michael Doyle's Their Name Liveth For Evermore
  • Unit - Royal Sussex Regiment
  • Cause of death - KILLED IN ACTION
  • Burial Commemoration - Loos Mem., France
  • Born - Nether Broughton, Leicestershire
  • Enlisted - Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
  • Place of Residence - Nether Broughton, Leicestershire, England
  • Memorial - ST. MARY THE VIRGIN CHURCH, NETHER BROUGHTON, LEICS

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