Craghead St Thomas' churchyard
Greener family headstone
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John William Greener was born, May 15th 1897, in Craghead, County Durham, one of 7 children, 3 boys, 2 girls and 2 deceased, born to Henry Greener 1864 Lanchester, County Durham and Annie Clara Rishton of Rochdale, Lancashire. Henry and Annie were married in the district of Lanchester, June 1890, setting up home at 2 Thomas Street, Craghead, later moving to Edward Street. Henry was employed at the colliery as a clerk all his working life, in 1911, John William, at the age of 13 was still a scholar.
John William enlisted, July 21st 1915, in Cramlington, giving his address as, 20 Fawcett Hill Terrace, Craghead, declaring he was a joiner by trade. He was assigned the rank of Private 1079 Northumberland Fusiliers and posted to the 19th Battalion. One month later he was transferred to the 28th Reserve Battalion and by December 2nd 1915 was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. The 28th Reserve Battalion, August 10th 1916, was sent as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France. Attached to the 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Corporal, he entered the theatre of war just as the Battles of the Somme were reaching an end. Whilst on active service he was shot in the face and also developed a heart condition, he was sent back to England April 15th 1917. At the Chelsea Hospital, May 14th 1917, he was diagnosed with Aortic Heart Disease, which was said to have, “originated in France on active service”, the cause of which was attributed to the, “overstrain in the trenches” and required treatment. Corporal 1709 John William Greener Northumberland Fusiliers was officially discharged June 4th 1917 under King’s Regulations 392 (XVI), being no longer physically fit for active service. He was given a pension and awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for the time spent on active service. After his discharge he was twice called by the Medical Board for examination, November 8th 1917 and February 3rd 1919, they concluded on his last examination that his condition was 100% permanent.
Ex Corporal John William Greener of 1 Shafto Terrace, Craghead, died March 6th 1919 as a result of a condition originated whilst on active service and as his death occurred prior to August 1922, the cut-off point established by the War Office for entry as a casualty of WW1, he was entitled to a military headstone. He is buried in St Thomas Churchyard, Craghead, area South I. 2. He was 22 years old and single. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for John William states his regiment as the 19th Battalion N. F. this is in contrast to his service record which states his last known regiment as the 25th Battalion N. F.
His brotherHenry also enlisted and was killed in action April 4th 1917.
Henry Greener senior died January 24th 1945 at 'Holmside' Park Road South, Chester le Street, leaving the sum of £1792 14s to his youngest and only surviving son, Herbert, a stationer and newsagent and William Gibbon a colliery clerk. His wife Annie Clara died January 19th 1947, also in Chester le Street. Their daughter Lilian Greener born 8th September died 20th March 2002. They are all buried beside John William at St. Thomas graveyard Craghead. At the request of his father, who paid 19 shillings and 10 pence, a dedication has been added to John William’s military headstone in remembrance of his brother and reads,”Also In Memory Of 2/Lieut. Henry Greener, D. L. I. K. In A. 14th April 1917 Wancourt Cemetery.”
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John William Greener is remembered at Craghead on C120.01, C120.02, C120.04, C120.07 and the Furnishings in the Methodist Church C120.08
