Lance Sergeant Thomas Alfred Gregg

 

 

Thomas Alfred Gregg was born on 27 September 1891 at Dromore, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, the eleventh of twelve children of farmer William Gregg and his wife Margaret Jane (nee Johnston). His mother died when he was just two years old. The 1911 Census shows him living with his father and a sister at Skreen, County Fermanagh, and working on the family farm.

Gregg enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Enniskillen on 2 October 1914 – the day recruiting opened for the squadron. He was issued regimental number 9. He embarked for France with his squadron on 6 October 1915. At the time they were serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 Gregg's squadron came together with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until September 1917, when the regiment was dismounted and most of the men transferred to the infantry. After training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, the men, including Gregg, were formally transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers on 20 September and soon after were posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – re-named the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Gregg was issued regimental number 41550.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin in March 1918. He was wounded during the Advance to Victory offensive between August and November 1918.

On 5 February 1919 he was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

After the war Gregg returned to farming, at Tattenamona, Brookeborough. He applied, unsuccessfully, for a land grant under the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act 1919. On 7 July 1920 he married farmer's daughter Alice Rooney at the Florencecourt Methodist Church.

 

 

The first image shows Gregg as a lance corporal in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron; the second as a sergeant in the Royal Irish Fusiliers. I am grateful to Fiona Davidson for making these pictures of her Grandfather available.

 

This page last updated 10 January 2023.