L/Cpl 52869 Joseph Gregson

• Age: 23
• From: Southport, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 4th September 1918
• Commemorated at: Bucquoy Cc Ext Ficheux
  Panel Ref: B.29

Joseph Gregson was born in 1895 in Southport and was baptised on the 1st September 1895 at St Peter,'s Church, Birkdale. He was the son of John Gregson and his wife Elizabeth Ann (nee Rockcliffe) who had married on the 24th July 1898 at Holy Trinity, Southport. prior to enlisting Joseph Joseph was employed as a labourer on the railways. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 11, Warwick Street, Southport. His father, John, is aged 45, born  in Hoole, Lancashire in 1856 is a fish dealer, his mother, Elizabeth, is aged 42, born 1859 in Lancaster and is a fish dealer also. They have five children at the time of the Census, Thomas aged 22, born 1879, John aged 19, born 1882 and James aged 17 born 1884, William aged 16, born 1885 are all fish dealers, Robert aged 8, born 1893 and Joseph aged 6, born 1895. Their children were all born in Southport. They also have a servant Elizabeth Birch21, born 1880 in Southport.    

The 1911 Census shows the family still living at 11 Warwick Street, Southport. His father John aged 53, born 1858 (1901 Census shows year of birth as 1856) and still employed as a fish dealer and his mother, Elizabeth, is aged 52, with no occupation listed. They have been married for thirty three years and have had ten children of which four had died. They have two children living with them at the time of the Census, Robert aged 17 and Joseph aged 15 both listed as at home. They have their neice Mary gregson aged 18, born 1893 in Burnley and listed as at home.    

His father, John, died on the 06th October 1912 and was buried at Duke Street Cemetery Southport.

He enlisted in Southport and was serving with the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Corporal No 52869.

He died of wounds on the 04th September 1918, aged 23, during the hundred days offensive which ended the First World War (8^th August-11^th November 1918).

His death was reported in the Southport Visiter dated 21st September 1918:

"Youngest son of Mrs Gregson, 11 Warwick St, Southport. A letter from the Captain of his company stated; "It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son 52869 Lance Cpl Gregson, who was wounded on the 26th August 1918, and afterwards died in hospital. It was during an attack in which he was displaying the greatest courage and devotion to duty, that he was wounded, and I feel that it will be some consolation to you to know that he died peacefully. Please accept the most sincere sympathy of the men and myself, in this your sad bereavement."Before joining the Army, Lance Corporal Gregson was in the employ of a Birkdale coal merchant. He has a brother presently serving in the Army."

He now rests at Bucquoy Communal Cemetery Extension, Ficheux, France where his headstone bears the epiaph:

“HE DIED FOR THE FREEDOM OF HIS FELLOW MAN”

The village of Bucquoy was occupied by the 7th Division on 17 March 1917, and was the scene of very heavy fighting in March and April 1918. Bucquoy Communal Cemetery Extension was made by the Royal Naval Division burial officer at the beginning of September 1918. It contains 68 First World War burials, all dating from 23-28 August 1918. The extension was designed by W H Cowlishaw.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Elizabeth Ann.

John is commemorated on the family grave at Duke Street, Southport and is also commemorated on the Southport Civic memorial and Hampton Road Congregational Mission Southport.

We currently have no further information on Joseph Gregson. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.