Remembered Today - Private John Grogan

[Stephen Nulty]

Private John GROGAN, 16049, 7th Bn South Lancashire Regiment, who died on 01.04.1917, aged 36.

Prescot (St Mary) Churchyard

John Grogan was born around 1882, the son of John and Mary Grogan. The family lived in Forbers Court in Prescot and the Grogan's had at least 8 children. After school, John worked as a coal miner underground. He married Bertha Alcock in Prescot in 1907 and they lived at Golden Court, off Derby Street, Prescot.

John Grogan's service papers survive and they trlate that he enlisted as Private 16049 into the 7th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment on 8th December 1914 in St Helens. He stated that he was a 33 year old married man and worked as a Collier.

Private Grogan stood 5 foot 7 inches tall, weighed 126 pounds and had a 36 ½ inch chest measurement, expandable by 3 inches. His had “Good” vision in both eyes and as a result of his medical examination he was passed as Fit for military service.

The 7th (Service) Battalion was formed from the large number of recruits who flocked to the colours as a result of Kitchener’s appeal in August 1914. The 6th and 7th Battalions were formed within a few days of each other but the 7th did not receive any uniforms until October, having to wear civilian clothes up to that time.

On 22nd February 1915, whilst at Moor Lane Camp, Private Grogan was charged with overstaying his pass from 7.30 a.m. until 9.00 p.m. and his punishment was to be “Admonished”. However, he committed the same offence and received the same punishment four weeks later.

The battalion was eventually trained and fully equipped by March 1915 and on 17th July the battalion embarked for France on the SS “Onward”, arriving at Bolougne.

Private Grogan overstayed his leave again in August of that year and perhaps surprisingly was only admonished for a third time!

The 7th Battalion moved into the line for the first time on 28th August, in the Festubert-Givenchy sector. They moved in and out of the line in rotation for several months, enduring the daily grind of warfare, with trench raids, artillery attacks, etc. to contend with.

Private Grogan committed a further offence of overstaying his leave early in 1916, but this time his punishment was to be confined to barracks for 2 days.

In June 1916, the battalion was ready to join the great Somme offensive. On the 1st July, they moved into the line at 9.30, some 3 hours after the start of the assault, and waited for instructions. They were moved around for the next two days, but did not as yet engage the enemy. On 3rd July, they were tasked with an attack on the strongly defended ruins of La Boisselle, although the start time for the attack was not until 9.30 p.m. The attack was fierce and sustained extremely heavy casualties, but the village was finally cleared by bayonet point at 3pm the following day.

The battalion was withdrawn from the line early on 6th July, moving back to rest billets at Albert.

They moved in and out of the line throughout July as the battle of the Somme wore on, until finally at the beginning of August, they moved northwards into Flanders, to the Messines Ridge. They moved on again in September to the vicinity of Ploegsteert but spent a relatively quiet time there before yet again returning to the Somme in October, although the time was uneventful with regard to major incidents.

Private Grogan will have likely been wounded in one of these engagements, perhaps as part of the daily grind of trench warfare and artillery attacks. He ultimately returned home and succumbed to his wounds on 1st April 1917. He rests in Prescot Churchyard.

The picture below shows the poor state of his headstone. The churchyard was heavily overgrown until November of last year, when local authority workmen cleared the bulk of the vegetation. I advised CWGC of the state of this stone, but I don't know yet if they have taken any action.

[michaeldr]

Thanks for that Stephen

It's nice to have to have so much detail on one of our 'Remembered Today'

Not Forgotten

[Stephen Nulty]

Thanks, Michael

Coincidentally, I have a picture of him that I haven't yet loaded on my Roll of Honour website. I'll try to find it tonight and get ot added here. It's from the local paper dated 29th September 1916 and reports him as being wounded. My speculation is that this might be the wounding which ultimately led to his death.

[andalucia]

We Will Remember

Ant

[Desmond7]

Excellent to see such a tie-up between a name at top of screen and detail of a life lost.

Des

[per ardua per mare per terram]

Rest in Peace.

[ulsterlad2]

Not forgotten

[ShirlD]

Thank you, really good to read about his life as we remember him

Cheers

Shirley

[Jim Mitchell]

A brave life given so we can enjoy the freedom we do. Never forgotten.RIP

[Pighills]

How wonderful to see the background to the man.

Thanks for posting his details Stephen.

John Grogan is remembered.

[Adam Llewellyn]

Well done Stephen, John is not forgotten.

Regards. Llew.

[squirrel]

Thanks for posting his details Stephen - not forgotten indeed.

[agedpink]

Remembered with Honour RIP John

[husher1917]

We will remember them.

To honour Private Grogan, as what may have been his habit during leave, I will stay back at the local establishment tonight for one or two extra beverages.

Cheers,

John

[JPAE]

Stephen,

Thank you for sharing such a detailed study of one of 'your' men.

Rest in Peace, John.

[stephen p nunn]

Excellent detail - well done for keeping his memory alive.

Thinking of him.

SPN

Maldon

Edited 1 April , 2009 by Andrew Hesketh
Removal of unecessary quote

[Andrew Hesketh]

Good detail Stephen - thanks for that.