John Gregson died of wounds on this day in 1918
John Gregson was born in Wellington, Shropshire in 1880. His parents were George, a coach body maker, and Jane Gregson. He had five older siblings.
At the 1901 Census, John, age 21 and a hairdresser, was living with his 21 year old wife Gertrude (née Jones) at 1 Hughes Street, Wrexham. A decade later, they had two children and were living at 1 Mount Street, Wrexham with his wife's father.
John enlisted into his local territorial battalion in the early months of the war, but did not see overseas service until mid 1916.
After taking part in the Battle of the Somme soon after his arrival in France, John was also to become a veteran of the Battle of Poelcapelle (part of 3rd Ypres) the following year.
He was seriously wounded by a gun shot wound to the shoulder and face during the Battle of the Lys in April 1918.
He was evacuated back to the UK where he subsequently died of pneumonia in Lichfield Hospital on 15 May 1918.
John was buried in Wrexham Cemetery, N. Wales five days later. His grave is marked by a private memorial.
266754 Lance Sgt John Gregson, 1/6th Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regt