Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: P. Priano
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Philips Greener, known as John, one of 7 children, was the 3rd born of 4 brothers and had 1 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father Thomas Greener was born in 1858 at South Shields, County Durham, as was his mother Eliza Jane Cowell, November 18th 1860 and baptised at St Hilda’s, November 30th. Prior to their marriage Eliza Jane was employed by the Greener family as a general servant at 144, Cleveland Street, Westoe, South Shields, she and Thomas were married at St. Hilda’s, July 24th 1881 and remained in the South Shields area all their lives. Their son Thomas Jnr was born in 1881, David 1887, Mary Ann 1889, John 1892, Beatrice 1895, Stephen 1899 and Georgina in 1901, while they were living at 53, Grange Street. Thomas was employed as a ship plater and although only 14 years of age David worked below ground as a trap-man at the coal mine. By 1911 the Greener family were living in 3 rooms at 10, Cornwallis Lane, Thomas Snr and David (24) were both employed at the ship yard as boilermakers, John (19) as a rivet heater, Beatrice (16) assisted her mother at home, Stephen (12) and Georgina (10) were scholars, Mary Ann, married to coal miner Edward Elliott Cowie, with two young children was living at 13, Ryman’s Street, Wheatley Hill, County Durham.
A state of war was declared to exist between Britain and Germany, August 4th 1914, John enlisted the following year at South Shields, May 25th 1915, assigned as Private 27132 Durham Light Infantry. He joined his regiment at their barracks at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, May 26th from where he was posted to the 3rd Battalion, June 2nd 1915, as part of the Tyne Garrison at South Shields and Jarrow. The battalion also engaged in preparing the troops for service overseas and later retraining the men recovering from ill-health and wounds. As part of the British Expeditionary Force he was drafted to France, October 25th 1916 joining his regiment at Etaples where he was posted to the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, November 18th 1916, joining them in the field 8 days later. The 12th Battalion D.L.I. attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division at the conclusion of the Battles of the Somme had moved north to the Ypres salient in Belgium. In June 1917 after a series of mines were exploded under the German trenches on Messines Ridge the 12th Battalion advanced, capturing Impartial Trench with the loss of 15 casualties. Their next major action was in September 1917 during the 3rd Battle of Ypres (July 31st-November10th 1917) at the Battle of Menin Road, September 20th-27th 1917.
Private 27132 John Greener was killed in action, September 20th 1917, his body buried on the battlefield by his comrades, marked with a cross bearing his military details. After the Armistice at the request of the Belgian and French Governments isolated graves and small concentration were brought into larger cemeteries for reburial. During the clearing of the battlefields remains were found at map reference J. 19. b. 20. 80. without a cross, which had been destroyed by subsequent actions in the area. Once exhumed, correspondence found on the remains identified them as being those of Private 27132 John Greener Durham Light Infantry. He was brought into Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium, June 6th 1921, for reburial with all honour and reverence by an Army chaplain. He is at rest grave IX. B. 27. at the time of his demise in 1917 he was 25 years of age and single.
His father Thomas had received all monies due to him and by 1919 his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 10, Cornwallis lane, South Shield. A letter addressed to him was received from the Infantry Pay and Records Office, March 7th 1925. Thomas had died June 18th 1924 aged 65 years, it was opened by his wife and reads as follows, “Sir, I am directed to inform you that I hold certain effects, the property of your deceased SON, the late No.27132, Private John GREENER, The Durham Light Infantry, i. e. i. CORRESPONDENCE, which has been recovered, and, although harmless from a Medical point of view, may be objectionable on account of the disagreeable odour emitted therefrom, and to ask you to kindly favour me with your decision as to whether they should be forwarded to you or be destroyed. I very much regret the necessity of bringing such a painful subject again to your notice, I am, Sir, Your obedient servant. CAPTAIN, for, COLONEL INFANTRY RECORDS OFFICE, YORK.” His mother’s response is as follows, “Sir, I would be very pleased if you would forward on any effects belonging to my son as we have no relics belonging to him and we would like something to remember him by, Yours sincerely, Eliza Greener, 10, Cornwallis Lane, South Shields.”
The war years took a toll on the Greener family as it did with so many, not only the loss of son John but also his brother Private Stephen Greener who died March 26th 1918 whilst serving in France and unlike his brother has no known grave. Daughter Mary Ann Cowie nee Greener died in 1919 leaving a widower and 3 children.
Eliza Jane Greener nee Cowell died aged 70 years in 1930, registered in the district of South Shields, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In peace.
John Phillips Greener is remembered at South Shields on S86.039 and S86.115 and at Durham in the DLI Book of Remembrance page 254.
