Harry Greasley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harry was the son of Harry Scott and his wife Annie Elizabeth (née Pearson). His father was born in Stepleford in 1870 and his mother in Whittington Moor, Derbyshire, in about 1870. They were married in 1895 and had two children who were both born in Stapleford: Harry b. 18 December 1896 (reg. 1897 J/F/M Shardlow) and Letty b. 1901. In 1901 Harry snr, an iron pipe moulder, and Annie were living on Mount Street, Stapleford, with their son Harry (4). Their daughter Letty was born later that year. By 1911 Harry, Annie and their two children were living at Asfordby Hill, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Harry was a pipe moulder at an iron foundry while his son was an apprentice moulder. The family was living at 51 Asfordby Hill when Harry jnr. joined the Royal Navy in 1915. However, according to Harry's RN record, his parents later moved to Orchard Street, Stapleford, and then to 16 Lot Street, which is the address given on the later CWGC record. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Harry's parents were living on Balfour Road Stapleford, Harry' occupation was given as a retired blacksmith's striker. The record of one other member of the household remains closed. They then moved to Derby Road, Stapleford, and this was to be their home until their deaths, Harry in May 1942 and Annie in February 1945.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Hood Bn. Royal Naval Division. Bristol/Z/4659. Harry Scott joined the Royal Navy as an ordinary seaman on 9 August 1915 and was advanced to able seaman on 4 November 1916. He was drafted for the BEF France on 25 September 1916 and joined Hood Battalion on 25 November 1916. Harry suffered a gunshot wound to his right arm on 5 February 1917 and was invalided to the UK on 10 February. He returned to France on 9 July 1917 and rejoined Hood Battalion on 5 August. Harry suffered a shell wound (right side and neck) and was admitted to the 47th Casualty Clearing Station on 27 October 1917 where he died of his wounds two days later on 29 October. He was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave ref. XI A 13). CWGC: History of Dozingham Military Cemetery (ext4ract): 'Westvleteren was outside the front held by Commonwealth forces in Belgium during the First World War, but in July 1917, in readiness for the forthcoming offensive, groups of casualty clearing stations were placed at three positions called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem. The 4th, 47th and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Dozinghem and the military cemetery was used by them until early in 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC: 'Son of Harry and Annie Elizabeth Greasley, of 16, Lot St., Stapleford, Notts' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'For ever in our thoughts'
