Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Gregory, a coach painter, born 1847 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Ann Gregory (nee Sibson, married on the 26th September 1870 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester), born 1850 in Leicester. Walter Gregory, a schoolboy was born on the 15th January 1883 in Leicester and baptised on the 18th March 1884 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester, his siblings were, Sarah Ann, a fancy box maker, born on the 12th July 1871 and baptised on the 13th August 1874 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester, Annie, a fancy box maker, born on the 20th March 1878 and baptised on the 23rd April 1878 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester, Rebecca Jane, a schoolgirl, born on the 4th October 1880 and baptised on the 4th January 1881 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester, Sidney Charles, a schoolboy, born in the 1st quarter of 1888 in St. Andrew’s, Leicester and baptised on the 19th September 1888 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester and Archibald Edwin, born on the 11th February 1890, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 8, Gosling Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Walter was absent from the family home at 4, Dover Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a coach painter, his mother and siblings Rebecca, a shoe trade fitter, Sidney, an errand boy and Archibald. Walter had a half blood sister, Violetta Sibson, born on the 29th April 1866 in Leicester and an older brother, George Edward, born in the 3rd quarter of 1873 in Leicester and baptised on the 13th August 1873 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester. On the 4th August 1908 Walter married Lizzie Ward in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester, Lizzie was born on the 5th September 1882 in Leicester. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a coach painter’s labourer and was residing in the family home at 5, Cross Street, Oadby, Leicestershire, together with his wife and children. James Edward, born on the 19th January 1909 and Margaret, born on the 27th October 1910, both children were born in Leicester. Walter and Lizzie later had another child, Hilda May, born on the 23rd December 1913 in Leicester. Walter’s younger brother Sidney fell in action on the 15th September 1915.
Walter enlisted into the Regular Army on the 26th February 1900 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 7141. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Leicester, his age as 18 years, his marital status as unmarried and his trade or calling as rivetter.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4⅞ inches in height and weighed 115 lbs, and had a chest measurement of between 32½ to 34½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was fair and he had grey eyes, he had a mole on the bend of his right elbow, he gave his religion as Wesleyan.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
2nd Battalion Royal Scots. 2nd Reinforcements Disembarked. 28/8/14.
Reported Missing. (Probable date). 13/9/14.
Now recorded for official purposes to have died on or about. 13/9/14.
He was awarded the 1914 Star, Clasp and Rose and the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Walter’s surviving service record amounts to a total of twelve pages, and these are in very poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 13 Sept-14 – Brigade left BRAINE about 5:30am, ROYAL SCOTS forming Advanced Guard. Came under artillery fire in the village of CHASSEMY, so assumed artillery formation, gained wooded ridge above village. Gradual advance under cover of woods to a position in front of canal before the River AISNE. 9th Brigade on our right, ROYAL IRISH on our left. About 3:00pm, ROYAL IRISH with “A” and “C” Companies crossed the canal bridge under artillery fire, then over the bridge across the AISNE and gained the village of VAILLY. “B” and “D” Companies then ordered to cross. By 6:00pm whole regiment across the river. Orders received to gain high ground surrounding the village before dark, so a piquet line was taken up round the village, in as advantageous position as possible. 9th Brigade crossed river after dark and relieved “A” and “C” Companies, who were then put in support of “B” and “D” Companies. Casualties about 15 – 20.
On Friday December 25th 1914 The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “MISSING OR PRISONER.” – Mrs. Gregory, of Oadby, states that she has not heard anything concerning her husband, Private W. Gregory, Royal Scots, since September 9th.