GREIG

Born 22 Mar 1881, Buss Colmonel Ayrs Scotland IGI-C01882-7
Died 21 Jan 1908, Lamdoughty Barr Ayrs Scotland
IGI - Andrew Greig birth : 22 Mar 1881 Colmonell, Ayrshire, Scotland father's name: Ivie Greig mother's name: Martha Ross : C01882-7 : Scotland-EASy
Also mentioned on family headstone at Barr Ayrshire

Born 21 Feb 1885, Knockdu Colmonel Ayrs
Died 1 Jul 1916, Somme - in action Age 31
The battle of the Somme started on 1st July 1916 and lasted over 4 months untill it ended on 15th November 1916. Gilbert Greig was killed in action there on the first day of battle. No doubt Scottish 'cannon fodder'. Family memorial errected at Barr Churchyard.
Also he is mentioned on a memorial in Thiepval France
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Details from GWGD - Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Name: GREIG, GILBERT
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Highland Light Infantry Unit Text: 17th Bn.
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Service No: 15596 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 15 C Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
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COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION
GREIG Gilbert, Lance Corporal #15596, 17th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry; died 01 July 1916; Thiepval Memorial
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WIGTOWN FREE PRESS
DEATHS ON SERVICE
MARCH 29TH 1917
GREIG, Gilbert - D1/7/1917 - Officially reported missing since 1st July 1916, now presumed killed, Lance-corporal Gilbert Greig, H.L.I., beloved son of Mr and Mrs Ivie Greig, Balrazie, Ballantrae.
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Gilbert is also mentioned on the The Ballantrae war memorial. The monument stands in a rock garden on the slopes below the castle overlooking the main road at the junction with the Stinchar Valley Road at the southern edge of the village
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Email from David Irwin [ 15 July 2016]
Hello
Please can you ensure that this email is passed on to members of the Gregg family. I live near Blackpool and had an experience recently that, after a bit of googling, has brought me to your Gregg Family History Project website.

I wanted to let you know that when, on 1 July this year when I took an impromptu visit to Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United FC, I had a very moving experience. It was a calm quiet still day and as I was admiring the huge glass fronted stadium, feeling somewhat dwarfed. I heard in the distance a 'click…click…click' of heavy boots on the open paved area in front of the stadium - a column of First World War Tommies marching past the stadium between stops as part of the #wearehere remembrance activities for the Battle of the Somme 100th anniversary.

When they were 100yards from me, the soldier at the back peeled off and marched steadily towards me, quite unnerving as I didn't understand the purpose. He marched right up to me, stood to attention, looked me in the eye and passed me a card. Not a word was spoken before he marched away and rejoined the column who had continued past the stadium. The card was in memory of your relation Lance Corporal Gilbert Grieg, 17th Battalion Highland Light Infantry who died at the Somme on that day 100 years ago.

The experience was very moving, not least because it provided a reality check and a timely, poignant juxtaposition - the guys who simply and bravely gave their lives for us, set against a huge symbol of wealth and excess, greed and narcissism further exaggerated as our televisions were filled with petulant and posturing politicians and English footballers failing feebly in France.

I am 60 years old and know very little of the Great War, other than general history and occasional snippets my own grandfather mentioned years ago. My experience at Old Trafford personalised the sacrifice and was very moving. It really made me stop and think about what people gave then for our freedom today.

Thank you to the Gregg family for your ancestors sacrifice - my experience 100 years on will stay in my memory for a very long time.
Best wishes
David Irwin

Many thanks for your contact David. Kind regards Alec Gregg
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Born ABT 1887, Ballantrae Ayrs Sc.