John Grey

Forename(s):
John

Surname:
Grey

Initial(s):
J

Service Number:
257

Rank:
Private

Regiment:
Canadian Expeditionary Force, Princess Patricia's (East Ontario Regiment)

Died:
14/10/1915

Aged:
33

Buried:
Felton Cemetery, Northumberland

Service History:
After training as a Stonemason, Grey served 3 years in the Coldstream Guards 2nd Battalion & remained on the Reserve list for 9 years.

At the outbreak of war Grey volunteered at Ottawa, on 26 August 1914, & enlisted into the Eastern Ontario Regiment of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

The regiment sailed from Quebec on the Royal George on 27 September 1914. By 18 October they were in England, at camp on Salisbury Plain. In early November they joined the 27th British Division as a unit of the 8th Infantry Brigade at Winchester. They landed in France on 21 December & took their place in the trenches on 6 January 1915.

Grey was seriously wounded in the first spring offensive of 1915 at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, on 10 March.

After some time in hospital & a period of recuperation in England he returned to active duty. However, by August 1915 he was back in hospital at Epsom, Surrey where his father visited him at the beginning of October.

Grey died about a week later from 'diaphragmatic hernia of the stomach'. His body was returned to Felton where a large funeral service took place with all places of business closed & the blinds of private houses drawn.
(Source: 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; pp. 8-10)

Background:
Born on 27 April 1882, at Felton, Northumberland, the eldest son of Nicholas Francis H. Grey (a Joiner & Cartwright), by his wife, Elizabeth Brewis (née Robson).

A first cousin to Hugh Ernest Robson who is also commemorated on the Felton Memorial.

His mother died in 1885 & Grey went, with his father & brother, Thomas, to live with his grandmother on Holy Island. The family returned to Felton about 1894 when his father married for the third time - his second wife died soon after their marriage - & another son, William, was born a few years later.

Grey trained as a Stonemason.

Married Margaret Dobson of Felton in 1904. In 1912 they emigrated to Canada, set up home at Calgary, & had two sons.
(Source: 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; pp. 8-10)

Local Memorial:
Felton Cemetery Felton War Memorial, incorporating Acton, Eshott, Swarland & Thirston