Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research
William Arthur Absolom Gregory was born in the 1st quarter of 1892 in Cranleigh, Surrey to engine driver Alfred and Matilda Maria (nee Hampshire). He was baptised on 6th March 1892 at St Nicholas´ Church in Cranleigh.
William’s father Alfred was born in the 1st quarter of 1865 in Bermondsey, London to agricultural labourer James, born about 1841 in Bookham, Surrey, and dressmaker Anne born about 1840 in Cranleigh. His mother Matilda Maria Hampshire was born in the 2nd quarter of 1868 in Cranleigh to labourer John, born about 1827 and laundress Sarah, born about 1831, both in Cranleigh. Matilda was baptised on 7th June 1868 at St Nicholas´ Church in Cranleigh. Alfred and Matilda married on 17th August 1889 at St Nicholas´ Church. William had one brother: Alfred Lewer was born in the 2nd quarter of 1890 in Cranleigh.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Brook Cottage in Cranleigh. Alfred was working as an engine driver of a steam roller and Matilda was looking after their children Alfred and William.
Matilda died in the 1st quarter of 1906 in Farnham, Surrey. She was buried on 22nd March 1906 at St Nicholas´ Church in Cranleigh. At the time of her death, she lived in Milford, Surrey. She was 37 years old. Alfred died on 29th April 1907 in Surrey. He left to his father James £43 and 2s in probate.
At the time of the 1911 Census, orphaned William lived with his paternal grandmother Anne, at 1 Redlands Cottages in Holmwood, Surrey. William was working as a milkman. The household further comprised of Ann’s other grandchild Leslie James Cornick. The accommodation had four rooms.
William enlisted in Holmwood into the 1st/5th Battalion, the Queens´ Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private and his regimental number was T/1646, and later T/240225. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Cobham, Surrey. William disembarked on 13th August 1915 to the Asiatic Theatre of War.
William Gregory died on 1st September 1916 in Yarbashi, Turkey. He was later exhumed from the Yarbashi Cemetery and moved to Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq.
William Gregory received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
William left to his paternal grandmother Ann Gregory £31, 7s and 10d on the 21st of April 1926 in Soldier’s Effects.
| Born | Cranleigh, Surrey | |
| Lived | Holmwood, Surrey | |
| Son of | Alfred and Matilda Maria Gregory (nee Hampshire) | |
| Regiment | 1st/5th Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | T/1646 later T/204255 | |
| Date of Death | 1st September 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Yarbashi, Turkey | |
| Age | 24 | |
| Cemetery | Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq |
