John William Gregg was born on the 24th March 1895, at Jarrow, eldest son of George Gregg, of 48 Gladstone Street, Hebburn, Durham, and his wife Emma Louisa, daughter of William Young. John was educated at the Grange Boys School in Jarrow.
He was employed as an apprentice Boiler Maker at the Palmers Boiler Works at Jarrow.
John enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery on the 23rd October 1913, and volunteered for Imperial Service on the outbreak of war on 4th August 1914. He was sent to France and Flanders from the 22nd April 1915.
He was killed in action on the 8th of May near St Julien.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
4th Durham Howitzer Brigade R.F.A. (T.F.) - was based at Bolingbroke Hall, Bolingbroke Street, South Shields, - now demolished for housing.
Extract from Shields Gazette Thursday, 23/07/2009.
"Bolingbroke Hall's origins were particularly bracing, the place having been built in 1884 at a cost of £3,000 as the headquarters of the 3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery which had been formed in 1859.
It was endowed with a drill hall which was considered one of the largest in the country, as well as offices and a large parade ground.
The hall was used as a mobilisation centre during both world wars but was eventually taken over by the old South Shields Borough Council in the 1960s when, at that time, it was the home of the 274 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA)."
John William Gregg is remembered at Jarrow on J2.01 and J2.42
