2018 Battlefield Tour post 14

2018 France/Belgium Trip Post No. 14

In St. Pierre Cemetery in Amiens we visited two DLOY graves.

Capt. Jack Eckersley Greenall DLOY attached 52 Sqn Royal Flying Corps was killed in action on 31 March 1918 aged 28.

Jack was born in Lymm in 1889 and baptised at St. Mary's parish church on 16 May 1889. His father, Henry, was a solicitor. Jack had three siblings, Dorothy Helen b1894, Ailsa b1899 and Norman Henry b1908. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the family had moved to Hill Cliffe House, Appleton and then to the Elms, Moore in 1903.

Jack was a keen sportsman, being particularly fond of cricket, shooting and hunting. He was educated at Sandroyd School in Salisbury, Eton and Oxford. He was apprenticed to S.Reynold’s and Co. Tannery in Warrington where he joined the DLOY. When the regiment was dismounted in 1917, he joined the Royal Flying Corps.

In early March 1918, Jack sent his parents a letter from the front saying that he was ‘quite well’. Not long afterwards, his parents received the worst news, a telegram telling them of his death.

Extract from The Warrington Guardian, 13 April 1918 –

‘According to a letter from a fellow officer Captain Greenall went up as a navigator on a bombing patrol when the machine was attacked by five enemy scouts, Captain Greenall was killed almost immediately. The pilot 2 Lt. W Dance was wounded but landed the machine on the British side.’

A memorial service was held at St Thomas’ Church, Stockton Heath. As a mark of respect, S Reynolds and Co. (Tannery), G and J Greenall (Distillery) and Henry Greenall and Co (Solicitors) were all closed while the service took place.

In June 2002, Jack’s medals were sold at auction – the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, his memorial plaque and an illustrated memorial scroll. They were bought for £780.

He is buried in Grave No. IX.A.3. Lol left a poppy cross at his graveside....RIP

3955/110553 Tpr. Harry Stott DLOY died 31 May 1919 aged 24. The 1911 census finds Harry living with his parents Thomas and Mary Ann and older brother Percy at 47 Chester St, Oldham. He is unmarried and his occupation is shown as assistant costing clerk for an electrical machinery manufacturers.

He is buried in Grave No. XV.A.4. Gaz left a poppy cross at his graveside….RIP