Person Page - 152

     Kenneth George Greathead was born on 6 May 1914 in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales.^1,2,3 He was the son of Frank Greathead and Laura Gertrude Dixon. In the census of 19 June 1921 in 155 Albert Road, Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, he was listed as the son of Laura Gertrude Greathead.⁴ Kenneth joined the Metropolitan Police on 4 June 1934. He was given the unique identification number known as a Warrant Number 123466, which each officer signs for in a bound ledger on the day they join. His last posting was as a Police Constable on N Division covering what is now the London Borough of Islington in North London.⁵ He married Joan Evelyn Gates in 1938 in Edmonton, London, England, 1st husband.⁶ On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Kenneth was listed as living at 200B Seaford Road, Tottenham, London, England, with his wife Joan. And their young son Michael and one other locked person. Kenneth was a Police Constable.³ Kenneth joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 10 January 1944 as Sergeant 1898335, Flt. Engr 576 Squadron. He was the flight engineer on a Lancaster I, serial number PD232, squadron code UL-O2 which took off from Fiskerton on Operation thunderclap, the bombing of Dresden which resulted in a fire storm and the death of 25,000 civilians. The aircraft collided with another Lancaster of 405 squadron. There was a mid air explosion and the aircraft fell to earth 3 miles apart at Remlingen and Wurzberg. The pilot of the 405 Sqn Lancaster was the sole survivor from the collision.^5,1 He died on 14 February 1945 in Germany aged 30 His usual address was 200b Seaford Road, Tottenham, Middlesex.^1,7 Kenneth was buried in Durnbach War Cemetery, Bad Tolz, Bayern, Germany, in plot 1.J.9.^1,8 Kenneth did not leave a will. Administration papers were issued on 9 March 1946 to his widow Joan in Llandudno. His effects were valued at £278 17s 11d.⁹

     Joan Evelyn Gates was born on 25 June 1917.² She married Kenneth George Greathead, son of Frank Greathead and Laura Gertrude Dixon, in 1938 in Edmonton, London, England, 1st husband.³ On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Joan was listed as living at 200B Seaford Road, Tottenham, London, England, with her husband Kenneth. And their young son Michael and one other locked person. Kenneth was a Police Constable.² Her husband Kenneth died on 14 February 1945 in Germany aged 30 His usual address was 200b Seaford Road, Tottenham, Middlesex.^1,4 Joan received Probate on her husband effects after he was killed in action in Germany in Llandudno on 9 March 1946.⁵ She married Stanley Eric Podger on 9 April 1949 in Edmonton, London, England, This was Joan's second marriage.^6,7 She married Douglas J Gordon in 1956 in Edmonton, London, England.⁸ Joan died in March 1979 in Hackney, London, England, aged 61.⁹

     Leonard Greathead was born in 1893 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.^1,3,2,4 He was the son of Charles Christopher Greathead and Hannah Harper. In the census of 31 March 1901 in 23 Taylor Row, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, he was listed as the son of Hannah Harper Leonard was at public school.³ He was Private M2/09909, 2nd Cav. Div. M.T. Coy., Royal Army Service Corps. In the census of 2 April 1911 in 42 Parker Street, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, he was listed as the son of Charles Christopher Greathead Leonard was a coal merchants carter.⁵ Leonard died on 9 March 1919 in Belgium from pneumonia.^1,2 Leonard was buried in Theux Communal Cemetery, Theux, Liège, Belgium, II.^1,2,6

     James Reginald Greathead was born in 1921 in British Guiana.² He was the son of James Thompson Greathead and Lillian Gertrude Gainfort. James and Lilian travelled with their sons John and James who were listed as Reginald and John aboard the ship Cottica. They arrived on 4 June 1932 at Plymouth from Demerara, British Guiana. James was described as an accountant and he gave their address in UK as Lillycoats Hotel, Millbay, Plymouth.³ He was Aircraftman 2nd Class 1397957, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve arriving in August 1941 in August 1941.^1,4 He died on 4 February 1942 in Royal Air Force Station Hospital, Fylde, Lancashire, England, in a motorbike accident.^1,5,4,6 The following article appeared in the West Lancashire Evening Gazette:
AC2 Jas Reginald Greathead (22) youngest son of Mr and Mrs J T Greathead of Duke Street, Kingston died at a Royal Air Force Station Hospital, N Lancs, England. He left British Guiana in August last. A brother Mr John Ronald Greathead is also in the RAF and is training to be a pilot.

In one of the wards in a Services Hospital the other day young man died. He had crossed the Atlantic, come some 4,000 miles from Georgetown, British Guiana, to serve Britain in her darkest hour.

He was only an AC2. Yet he went to his grave in a north-west village church yard to the tattoo of muffled drums, to the lament of the Last Post to the bark of rifles firing over his grave. They could have given no greater honour to an air marshal.

I watched the guard of honour passing the village green. An official led the slow ceremonial march. Beneath the flag. Flanking the open hearse were 16 aircraftmen. The folds of the Union Jack enclosed the coffin and on the flag a cross of flowers. A band was in the procession, playing the sad, plaintive music of the Dead March. Two men walked behind the hearse. One was the aircraftsman's brother who had crossed the seas with him and had been called from a station in the South to the funeral. The other was a pilot officer deputed to escort him.

Blinds masked the windows of the houses near the village green. Women came out of the doors and stood in silence as the cortege passed. No greater homage. He rests, now, this AC2 from Georgetown, British Guana, in the soil of the land which he came to defend.

A photographer was summoned to record the scene; I was asked to write a few lines about it. Now, at the request of the Commanding Officer of the RAF Station, the photographs and thee few paragraphs will be sent to the family in Georgetown. They will know then we gave him, however humble his rank, l that we could give him in homage and respect in a strange land.

....And every day since the women of the village have gone to the churchyard and left flowers on his grave.⁷


James was buried in St Michael, Weeton, Lancashire, England, in Grave 94.¹

     Jane Robertson Mason was born on 9 September 1900 in Scremerston Hill, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, England.^1,2,3 She married Albert Greathead, son of Thomas Greathead and Elizabeth Wilbert, on 5 September 1926 in North Shields, Durham, England.^4,2 On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Jane was listed as living at 132 Trevor Terrace, Tynemouth, Durham, England, with her husband Albert. And their two sons.⁵ Her husband Albert died on 11 June 1959 in 132 Trevor Terrace, North Shields, Durham, England, aged 69.^6,7,1,2 She died on 20 December 1965 in 14 Farmley Ridge, Neville Cross, Durham, England, aged 65.^1,8 Jane did not leave a will. Administration papers were issued on 5 January 1966 in Durham to her son James, ho was described as a chemical engineer. her effects were valued at £604.¹

     Jennie T Greathead was born in August 1929 in Chester le Street, Durham, England.¹ She was the daughter of William Halliday Greathead and Winifred Ivy Hall. Jennie died in 1929 in Chester le Street, Durham, England.² Jennie was buried on 6 September 1929 in Cemetery, Chester le Street, Durham, England, in plot H347 aged 10 days. Her father William was buried with her in 1940.^3,4

     William Albert Greathead was born in 1924 in Kingsnorth, Warwickshire, England.^1,2 He was the son of Albert Greathead and Martha Ethel Whitehouse. William was Private No 14405704 in the 7th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry.³ William died on 19 January 1944 in Lazio, Italy.^1,3,4 William was buried in Minturo War Cemetery, Provincia di Latina, Lazio, Italy, VI.A 25.^1,4,5

     Leslie Greathead was born on 26 July 1920 in Kings Norton, Warwickshire, England.^1,2 He was the son of Alfred Greathead and May Napper. In the census of 19 June 1921 in 742 Yardley Wood Street, Smethwick, Worcestershire, England, he was listed as the son of Alfred Greathead.³ He married Dorothy M Jones, daughter of Edward Jones and Minnie White, in 1943 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.⁴ There is a lovely picture of Leslie strolling down the street.⁵ Leslie died in 1972 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.^1,6 Leslie was buried in May 1972 in Witton Cemetery, Moor Lane, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.⁷

     May Napper was born on 2 May 1898.² She married Alfred Greathead, son of John Josiah Greathead and Ann Oliver, in 1915 in Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, May's surname may have been Musty.³ In the census of 19 June 1921 in 742 Yardley Wood Street, Smethwick, Worcestershire, England, she was listed as the wife of Alfred Greathead.⁴ Her husband Alfred died on 1980 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.⁵ May died in October 1988 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, aged 90.⁶ May was buried in November 1988 in Brandwood End Cemetery, 152 Woodthorpe Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.⁷

     Albert Henry Greathead was born in 1919 in Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.^1,2 He was the son of Alfred Greathead and May Napper. In the census of 19 June 1921 in 742 Yardley Wood Street, Smethwick, Worcestershire, England, he was listed as the son of Alfred Greathead.³ Albert was a Signalman No 2572258 in the 4th Medium Regiment Royal Corps of Signals.^4,5 Albert died on 31 March 1945 Casualty of WWII.¹ Albert was buried in Padua War Cemetery, Padua, Italy, in Grave ref V.E.1.¹

     Percy Elgin Chapman was born about 1878 in Oxenham, Norfolk, England.¹ He was the son of Eli Chapham.² He married Louisa Sophia Greathead, daughter of Albert Swindon Greathead and Louisa Eliza Helena Booth, on 7 June 1897 in Christ Church, Jamaica Street, Stepney, London, England, after banns were read. The ceremony was witnessed by Charles Albert James Greathead, Maud Mary Levitt and Louisa Eliza Helena Greathead. Percy aged 20 gave his occupation as a tea packer and his address as 162 Jubilee Street. Louisa was aged 21 and working in millinery, her address was given as 15 Cressy Houses.^3,4 Percy was listed as head of household in the census of 31 March 1901 in 179 Vicarage Lane, West Ham, London, England, Percy was a tea warehouseman, a grocer.⁵ Percy was listed as head of household in the census of 2 April 1911 in 52 Edinburgh Road, West Ham, London, England, Percy was a general labourer living with his wife and four children in their five roomed home.⁶

     Mary Ann Rushby Bolton was born in 1879 in Holborn, London, England.^2,3 She was the daughter of William Alexander Bolton.⁴ She married Charles Albert James Greathead, son of Albert Swindon Greathead and Louisa Eliza Helena Booth, on 4 July 1897 in Christ Church, Jamaica Street, Stepney, London, England, They were married after banns had been read, the ceremony was witnessed by William Alexander Bolton and Elizabeth Haunt. Charles was a printer aged 21 and gave his address as 15 Cressy Houses, while Mary was aged 18 and was working as a boot machinist. She gave her address as 27 Ernest Street.^5,6,7 In the census of 31 March 1901 she was listed as the wife of Charles Albert James Greathead.⁸ In the census of 2 April 1911 in 47 Eastern Road, Plaistow, West Ham, London, England, she was listed as the wife of Charles Albert James Greathead.⁹ In the census of 19 June 1921 in 4 Wick Terrace, Wick Lane, Poplar, London, England, she was listed as a boarder staying with a widower Samuel Howell, a coffee house keeper. There was a housekeeper Anne Goldsmith a single lady. Mary was listed as married and assistant, probably in the coffee house. I believe Mary and her husband had parted he was living in Camberwell with a lady called Edith and his new daughter Doris.¹⁰ Her husband Charles died on 12 July 1951 in Banstead Hospital, Banstead, Surrey, England, aged 75.^11,12 Mary died in 1954 in Bethnal Green, London, England.¹³

     Joseph Edward Greathead was born in 1890 in Alcester, Warwickshire, England.^1,2,3,4 He was the son of Edward Greathead and Annie Green. In the census of 5 April 1891 in Hexley Street, Alcester, Warwickshire, England, he was listed as the son of Edward Greathead.⁵ In the census of 31 March 1901 in 15 Avenue Place, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England, he was listed as the son of Edward Greathead.⁴ He married Carrie Eleanor Ward in 1910 in St Catherine, Burnley, Lancashire, England, Carrie was called Nellie. Edward had been an altar server at St Margaret's Church. After their marriage they attended St Catherine's Church.^6,7 He was Private 20535, 134th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, he enlisted in Burnley, Lancashire. He was a weaver at Messrs Witham's Plumbe Street Shed and served in the RAMC special reserve for eight years, taking on a further three years.^1,8,9 He died on 24 June 1917 in Flanders, Belgium, from wounds he received during his heroic work rescuing the wounded. His home address was 21 Olympia Street, Burnley, Lancashire. His wife received three letters shortly after his death from a colleague, the Army Chaplain and one signed by a number of non-commissioned officers and men of the RAMC and the ASC. He had completed eleven years and had been due to return home on furlough.^1,10,8,9 Joseph was buried on 25 June 1917 in Popperinge New Military Cemetery, II.F.20, Popperinge, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, He seems to have been buried under his second name of Edward and was known by his mates as Ted and as many of the ambulance as could be spared attended his funeral.^1,11,9 Administration papers were issued with a will on 30 July 1925 in London to Carrie Greathead his widow. His effects were valued at £120 10s 0d.¹⁰

     Carrie Eleanor Ward was born on 13 July 1887 in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England.² She married Joseph Edward Greathead, son of Edward Greathead and Annie Green, in 1910 in St Catherine, Burnley, Lancashire, England, Carrie was called Nellie. Edward had been an altar server at St Margaret's Church. After their marriage they attended St Catherine's Church.^3,4 Her husband Joseph died on 24 June 1917 in Flanders, Belgium, from wounds he received during his heroic work rescuing the wounded. His home address was 21 Olympia Street, Burnley, Lancashire. His wife received three letters shortly after his death from a colleague, the Army Chaplain and one signed by a number of non-commissioned officers and men of the RAMC and the ASC. He had completed eleven years and had been due to return home on furlough.^1,5,6,7 Carrie's husband died in Belgium. She received administration in London of his effects on 30 July 1925.⁵ On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Carrie was listed as living at 17 Honiton Road, Exeter, Devon, England, with her daughter, son in law, grandson.⁸ Carrie died on 16 July 1955 in Little Down Hall, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset, England, aged 68.^9,5 Carrie did not leave a will. Administration papers were issued on 5 August 1955 in Exeter to her daughter Constance Anne Halstead. Her effects were valued at £132 18s 4d.⁵

     Elizabeth Lumley was born in 1842 in South Shields, Durham, England.^1,2 She married Mark Greathead, son of Thomas Greathead and Elizabeth Johnson, in 1866 in Northallerton, Yorkshire, England, Elizabeth was mark's first wife.³ In the census of 2 April 1871 in Ellerton on Swale, Yorkshire, England, she was listed as the wife of Mark Greathead Elizabeth was a field labourer.⁴ Elizabeth died in 1875 in Hartlepool, Durham, England.^5,6 Elizabeth was buried on 1 February 1875 in St Mary Magdalene, Hart, Hartlepool, Durham, England.¹

     William Greathead was born on 4 August 1751 in Edinburgh, Midloathian, Scotland.^1,2 He was the son of Henry Greathead and Hellen Rodger.³ He was baptised on 7 August 1751 in Edinburgh, Midloathian, Scotland, his father Henry was listed as IND and his mother Helen Rodger.²

     Joan Sheldon married Oswald Chambers Oswald and Joan had no children.¹ She was born in 1913.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas Sheldon and Lily Eleanor Robinson.¹

     William Edward R Greathead was born in 1895 in Drummoyne, New South Wales, Australia.^1,2,3,4 He was the son of Robert J Greathead and Ruth Darwin Rowley.¹ William was like his brother Ashbury a tailor's presser and followed the Church of England religion. He lived in College Street, Drummoyne, New South Wales and gave his father Robert as his next of kin.

He enlisted as Private 2269 in 5th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement of the Australian Infantry on 21 August 1914. He was 19 years 6 months old and five foot ten inches tall. He weighed nine stones ten pounds, with reddish complexion, blueish eyes and fair hair.^5,2 He died on 18 August 1916 in Picardy, France, aged 23 years on the Western front in WW1.^1,2,6 He was buried in Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, Picardie, France, Villers-Bretonneux is a village about 15 killometers east of Amiens. The Memorial stands on the high ground ("Hill 104") behind the Villiers-Bretonneux Militery Cemetery, Fouilloy on the east side of the road to Fouilloy.

The Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneuz is approached through the Military Cemetery, at the end of which is an open grass lawn which leads into a three-sided court. The two pavilions on the left and right are linked by the north and south walls to the back (east) wall, from which rises the focal point of the Memorial, a 105 foot tall tower, of fine ashlar. A staircase leads to an observation platform, 64 feet above the ground, from which further staircases lead to an observation room. This room contains a circular stone tablet with bronze pointers indicating theSomme villages whose names have become synonymous with battles of the Great War.

William appears on panel 43 of the Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial

He was awarded the Star medal No 349, Victory medal No 1188 and British War Medal No 1185.^5,1,7,8,9

     Jane Gabriel was born in 1804 in Llanyblodwel, Shropshire, England.^3,4 She was the daughter of John Gabriel and Jane Humphreys. She was baptised on 24 June 1804 in St Michael the Archangel, Llanyblodwel, Shropshire, England.² She married William Tunley, son of Richard Tunley and Mary ..., on 28 August 1828 in Oswestry, Shropshire, England, Jane was William's second wife.^5,2,6 In the census of 6 June 1841 in Llanyblodwel, Shropshire, England, she was listed as the wife of William Tunley.⁷ In the census of 30 March 1851 she was listed as the wife of William Tunley.⁸ In the census of 7 April 1861 in Blodwel, Shropshire, England, she was listed as the wife of William Tunley.⁹ Her husband William died on 20 February 1865 in Blodwel, Porthywaen, Shropshire, England, William's death was announced with that of his son Elijah's in the same month in the Border Counties Advertiser of 15 March 1865.^{10,11,12,13,14} In the census of 2 April 1871 in The Grocer Shop. 75 Rokeby Street, Everton, Lancashire, England, she was listed as the mother of William Tunley.¹⁵ Jane died in 1882 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England.^3,2,6,16

     Annie Sanderson was born on 22 July 1915 in South Moor, Oxhill, Lanchester, Durham, England, Did not know William when young, met in Yorkshire later in life.^1,2 She was the daughter of ... Sanderson and Deborah ... She married William Thomas Greathead, son of Matthew Anderson Greathead and Jane Isobel Dawson, on 25 November 1933 in Lanchester, Durham, England, William was a miner.^1,3 On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Annie was listed as living at 58 Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, England.² Annie died in October 1993 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, aged 78.^4,5