No.73423, Private, Frank GORLEY
served as F.W. GORLEY, not GREENGRASS
Aged 40
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Francis William Greengrass was born in Wethersfield, Essex (Braintree Q2-1877 4A:420), son of William and Louisa GREENGRASS (née CARTER).
1881 census...Aged 4 he was at Blackmore End, Wethersfield, Essex with his father William GREENGRASS [35] grocer and beer seller, born Rickinghall; his mother Louisa [35]; brother Harold W [5] and sister Ethel ML [1]. All except his father were born in Wethersfield. 1891 census...Aged 14, ( no occupation given) he was at Haverhill Road, Castle Camps with his parents (father now grocer's assistant); brothers Harold (farm labourer) and Jackey [8] born Wethersfield and sister Ethel. His mother died in 1898. 1901 census...He has not been found in this census as GREENGRASS or as GORLEY. His widower father, a grocer's assistant and sister Ethel were at Castle Camps. 1911 census...Aged 34, a factory hand,he was at Castle Camps with his sister (single - a teacher) and brother Harold ( married - groom/gardener). His father had died earlier that year. Harold had married and was living in Highworth , Wiltshire with his wife Alice Maud and their 4 children (3 more came later). Harold served in the 13th Devonshires, was transferred to the R.A.S.C and survived the war. |
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Francis attested as Frank GORLEY on 11th December 1915, mobilised on 24th February 1917 into the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) in Mill Hill, giving
his age as 38 years 8 months,living at 72 Broad Lane, Tottenham, a timber porter. Born in Essex, he was 5 feet 3.5 inches (161.3 cm) tall,
chest 35" to 37.5" (88.9 to 95.3 cm), weighing
130 lbs (59.2 kg). He gave as his next of kin, Ethel GORLEY of Castle Camps. It is unlikely we will ever know why he assumed this name. Later forms say he was deemed to have enlisted on 16th October 1916 and placed back on Reserves and finally mobilised 24 Feb 1917. but 2 days later transferred to 123 Company Labour Corps. He served in the BEF in France/Flanders from 14th March 1917 to 27th August 1917 and was evacuated to UK. He was admitted to Princess Christian Hospital, Weymouth on 28th August 1917 with pernicious anaemia He died (Weymouth Q4-1917 5A:335) at Burdon Military Hospital at 9:30am on 17th October 1917 and was despatched to Castle Camps on the 19th, where his age is given as 38 on the gravestone. His personal belongings forwarded to Ethel were:-handkerchief; comb; pipe, packet of letter; pair of braces with key and 2 discs attached; cap comforter; 2 rings and a small bag. Ethel, together with a brother (Harold ?) had visited him in hospital a week before he died. She then told the Army of his false identity. The "Living relatives form is badly faded but completed in 1919 by his sister Ethel appears to confirm both parents had died. Harold and one other brother survived. His Pension Record card is in the name of Frank GORLEY, 73423 Labour Corps and gives his next of kin as E.M.Greengrass, Castle Camps, Cambs |
Evidence given to the Metropolitan Police 23rd Oct 1917
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