Tuesday 16 February 2016

John William Brown Greaves 1921-1943, age 21

Barnsley Chronicle 24th April 1943
Thanks to Barnsley Archives
Born: 1921 Q3 in Chester-Le-Street Registration District, Durham. 

Son of: John and Agnes Greaves of 20 Racecommon Road, Barnsley.

Military Service: William was a Lance Corporal in the 6th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment, Service number 4748444.

Death: 21st March 1943 'by accident' in North Africa.

Buried: William is buried in Tabarka Ras Rajel War cemetery in Tunisia, Grave number 4, C, 20. He was originally buried on the road at Dbl. Abd, but was reburied at Ras Rji on 25th June 1943. His grave bears the inscription 
"Ever in my Memory" 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  

The Barnsley Chronicle on 24th April 1943 reported
Barnsley Soldiers Death in North Africa
Mr and Mrs J. W. Greaves of 20, Racecommon Road, Barnsley have received news of the death by accident in North Africa of their son Lce Cpl J. William B. Greaves (22) who was well known and popular, particularly in the Worsbro' Bridge area, where he had worked and lived. He attended Worsbro' Dale School and became a member of St James' Church Lads Brigade, Worsbro' Bridge. He worked at Barrow Collieries and was a Territorial, first with the Hallamshires and then the York and Lancasters. 

He went to North Africa in January this year and has a brother, sister and two brothers-in-law in the Forces. His father served in the R.A.S.C. practically throughout the last war, in which two of his brothers were killed. A memorial service for Lce-Cpl Greaves will be held in St James' Church, Worsbro' Bridge on Easter Sunday evening. 

A pathetic feature is that since the official information of death, the parents received a letter from their son, also a letter from the Corporal's brother-in-law, Signaller R. Jessop, who referred to his burial observing that "the place where he lies buried, marked with a cross, will always be remembered by me." "The day before," the letter continues, "we were discussing life after the war, settling down, and of the good times that will never be realised by him."  

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