Private Patrick Cregg.

6416 1st Lancashire Fusiliers.

Missing in Action 4th June 1915, aged 40.

Patrick was born about 1875 in Barrowford. Lancs. The son of Edward and Mary Cregg. In the 1881 census the family lived at 3 Massey St., Burnley. Edward 66 his grandfather, Mary 66 his grandmother, William 27 a mill hand, his father and Margaret 25 his mother, John 3, Patrick 5. Confusingly, John Cregg 13 and Edward Cregg 16,  were named as sons under William but this seems impossible and must be the sons of Edward?

In the 1891 census the family had moved to 2 Pickups Passage, William 37, Bridget 37, Patrick 15, Thomas 12, Martin 10, Mary 8, Bridget 6, Catherine 4 and Ann 1, all living in 2 rooms.

Patrick married Margaret Walsh in the Sept quarter 1899, Burnley.

In the 1911 census, Patrick 35 moulder, Maggie 35, cotton winder, John 10, Maggie 7, Gilbert 6, Hubert 4 living at 9 Region (?) St Burnley. They had been married 6 years with 6 children 2 of whom had died. They went on to have 9 children 4 dying in infancy.

From The Express and Advertiser dated 15th December 1915: THE DEATH ROLL. NEVER SAW HIS DEAD CHILD. BOER WAR VETERAN'S PATRIOTISM.

A Boer war veteran who had completed his period with the reserve, and who rejoined feeling that it was his duty to go, although he left a wife and four children, is now reported killed, after being missing at the Dardanelles since the big battle of June 4th, in which many territorials were killed.

 Private Patrick Cregg however was in the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers. In the war he served with the RFA, and had completed his period as a reservist being 39 years of age last March.  He felt however that he must rejoin the army, and responded to the call  but as the RFA was at that time  (September 1914)full up he joined the 3rd Lancashire Fusiliers being afterwards transferred to the 1st Battalion. Serving with this regiment he was in the original landing in May at the Dardanelles, through which he came safely.  His last letter home was dated May 31st and since then nothing had been heard of him beyond the fact that he was posted missing. On Saturday morning Mrs Cregg who resides at 5 quarry Street received notification that he was now posted as killed on June 4th .

There are two pathetic features in connection with Craig's death. Since he went out a baby girl has been born and has died, so that he never saw his last child. Indeed the letter to inform him of the sad fact never reached him as he was then missing, and has been Returned. Another sorrowful Circumstance is that whilst other chums from Burnley in the same regiment, who had made a compact to inform each other's relatives if anything happened, we're all reported missing at the same time, and all have now been reported killed. None were able to keep the Vow. 

Cregg who was formerly a moulder at Messrs Pemberton's Foundry, is a Burnley man, and formerly resided in the Fulledge District, being very well known there and in the Sandygate locality, where he had resided about 16 years. At the time he re-enlisted, he lived in Riding Street. He leaves a widow and 5 Children.

From the Battalion War Diary for June:  The Lancashire Fusiliers, 42nd Division, attacked the town of Krithia there were more than 700 dead and wounded following the charge at noon on the 4th June 1915. It is highly likely that  Patrick was amongst those killed that day.

Patrick left his effects to his widow Margaret of 4 Quarry Street.

Patrick is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli: Panels 59 to 73 or 218 to 219.