Cecil Edward Gregory, known to almost all in later life as ‘Greg’, was born on 1 February 1899 into a family of mining engineers hailing from the West Riding of Yorkshire. At an early age he moved with the family to Holyhead in Anglesey, North Wales.
Early Life and Education
His boyhood was spent in Holyhead, where he was a pupil at the Park School and Holyhead Grammar School. In March 1916 he went up to the University College of North Wales in Bangor to read chemistry.
Joining the Army
In April 1917 he interrupted his studies to join the Army. After initial training, including a spell in the 233rd Infantry Training Reserve, he joined No. 1 Officer Cadet Wing of the Royal Flying Corps on 9 October 1917. According to the RAF Museum pupils would have received
“…basic military training during a two-month course which included drill, physical training, military law, map reading and signalling using Morse code”.
Next, he moved to No. 2 School of Aeronautics in Oxford on 30 November 1917
“…to begin a two-month course of military training and ground instruction. The topics covered included aviation theory, navigation, map reading, wireless signalling using Morse code, photography and artillery and infantry co-operation. The students were also taught the working of aero engines and instruments and basic rigging” ( RAF Museum ).
2nd Lt. C.E. Gregory RFC
On 24 January 1918 Greg was promoted from Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. Notice of his promotion was published in the London Gazette on 1 February 1918, the day of his 19th birthday. All the events recounted in the Greg’s War blog were to happen before he was a year older.
Greg joined his flying training squadron in March 1918.
Header image: The Breakwater, Holyhead . Credit: www.oldukphotos.com.