Private Terence McGreal. 

37657 2nd East Lancashire Regiment.

Missing in Action 31st July 1917. Aged 27.

Terence was born in Burnley about 1890 the son of Michael McGreal and Priscilla Corcoran. In the 1901 census the family was living at 4 Higgin St, Burnley. Michael 46 born in County Mayo Ireland. Priscilla 40 born in Manchester, Mary 15 weaver, Terence 11, Sarah Ann 5, Ellen Corcoran 16 (step dau), Mary Corcoran 11 (step dau), Nora 3, and two boarders peter Kelly and Wm Dixon.

The family had moved to 2 Eastham St, Burnley by the time of the 1911 census. Michael now a widower, 52 miner, Ellen 26, Mary 25, Terence 21, Mary 20, Sarah 15 all weavers’, Norah 13, and a boarder John Spencer 25.

Terence married Margaret Coleman in the March quarter of 1917 in Burnley.

From the Burnley Express dated 11th August 1917: FELL IN THE ADVANCE. FATE OF TWO BURNLEY SOLDIERS.

Bad news has come to two Burnley homes this week. In a letter home a Burnley soldier named Cosgrove announced that two soldiers from Fulledge had "gone West". This letter arrived on Wednesday morning and in the evening they arrived home on furlough Sgt Joe Batty of Massey Street. He was able to confirm the news having been one of the party to undertake their burial.  The unfortunate soldiers are Sergeant 18636 Michael Lee, of 72 Lyndhurst Road and Private Terence McGreal of 16 Eastham Street both of the East Lancashire Regiment,  the former being hit on the head on August 1st and the latter on July 31st, both in connection with the recent advance.

 Sgt Lee was only 20 years of age, and left his employer at Mr Waddington’s, draper, Manchester Road, in January 1915, to enter the army. He was drafted to France the following May, and beyond having a furlough last November he had been on active service all the time. Sergeant Lee was a member of St. Mary's RC Church and was also connected with St Mary's Men's Club and the Catholic Lads' Brigade. His brother, Corporal Jack Lee, also of the East Lancashire Regiment was wounded on the opening day of the Somme offensive last year, and taken a prisoner. His wounds have healed and a letter was received on Tuesday from him stating he was alright. The Corporal was a machine gunner.

From the Burnley News dated 11th August 1917: TWO ST MARY'S BOYS MAKE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE.

Every sympathy will be felt with the wife and relatives of Private Terry McGreal, of Richard Street, and Son of Mr Michael McGreal of 16 Eastham Street, in the death of Private McGreal, news of which was conveyed to them in a letter from Private Cosgrove on Wednesday.  The letter which was written on Friday the 3rd inst, says call on "I was with Joe Batty, Terry McGreal, and Martin Walsh before they went up to go over the top. We had a pretty good time together. This was last Saturday night. I was with Joe again last night. They had just been relieved but I am sorry to tell you that poor Terry went under. Joe was with him when he got hit, and as Joe is expecting to go on leave any day he will be able to give his wife all there is to know. Another young man called Michael Lee also went under."

Private McGreal who was a highly esteemed member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, was 28 years of age, and was married just before going south for training about 7 months ago. He had previously been rejected but was called up in February. His last leave about 10 weeks ago, occurred a week before being drafted out to France. By occupation Private McGreal was a weaver at Park Shed, and he was also well known as goalkeeper with the Fulledge Amateur F.C., who is a popular member of the committee of the Irish National League, has now lost his only son and a son-in-law (the latter being Gunner E Spencer of Eastham Street).

Sergeant Michael Lee, mentioned in the above letter is the son of Mrs Lee, 72 Lyndhurst Road, whose other son Cpl Jack Lee, was wounded in July last, and is now a prisoner in Germany.  Sergeant Michael Lee, whose Death in Action has just been reported, was in the 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment. He joined in January 1915 and was sent to France in the following may, since when he has been through most of the severe fighting which has taken place. He had passed through all these engagements unscathed, until the attack in which he was taking part a few days ago, when he received fatal injuries. Sergeant Lee was only 20 years of age, but he was an upright brave soldier, and his faithful discharge of duty is reflected in the fact that all his stripes have been won while in action. He was home on furlough in November last and it was just after his return to France that he was promoted to Sergeant. Sergeant Lee, since joining the Army, has maintained a weekly correspondence with his mother. His letters were always of a most cheery character, typical of his happy and buoyant disposition. He was connected with the lads Brigade of St Mary's Catholic Church and was well-known and highly respected in the parish. The news of his death will occasion much regret amongst his large circle of friends and acquaintances and sincere sympathy will be extended to Mrs Lee and the family in their great loss: Corporal Jack Lee, who as already stated, was wounded and taken prisoner in July last, regularly writes home, and it is satisfactory to learn that he is improving and doing well.

From the Burnley Express dated 18th August 1917: AN ONLY SON. FULLEDGE SOLDIERS PREMONITION.

 As we announced in last Saturday's Express a Burnley soldier named Cosgrove sent word home that he was sorry to say that a Burnley friend in the same regiment, Terence McGreal, had been killed in action.  Sergeant J Batty who came home on leave, confirm this statement, and letters received this week from an Officer and a NCO of the East Lancashire Regiment place beyond doubt the fate of Private McGreal, who was the only son of Mr McGreal of 16 Eastham Street Burnley.  How much sympathy is felt in Fulledge for the father, who has been hard hit, losing his only son and son-in-law in less than 4 months. The latter was Gunner Edward Spencer, RFA, of 32 Eastham Street, and he was killed on April 21st last.

 Private McGreal had tried to get into the army 12 months previous to his acceptance on February 26th, and after a comparatively brief training in the south he was drafted abroad about 10 weeks ago. The circumstances under which he had his last leave are very pathetic. His father was ill in bed and he bid him goodbye, subsequently telling his sister that he had a premonition that he would never see his father or her again, as he felt he would "go under."  By occupation he was a weaver and worked at Park Shed. He was an esteemed member of St. Mary's RC Church, and was well known as the goalkeeper for the Fulledge amateurs. He was married prior to being called up, and his wife has also lost and uncle and cousin, the former being R Neely, who was killed 2 years ago, and the latter R Davis, of Radcliffe who fell a fortnight ago.  Mr McGreal is a prominent member of the United Irish League club and has been a committee man for nearly a score of years.................................................................  

a great favourite with all his comrades. We shall all miss him very much and I want to offer you my very sincerest sympathy in your sad bereavement. But you must remember that he died the finest death possible." 

 Corporal A Franks the deceased section Commander, wrote expressing the sympathy of his comrades, and stated: "we all went over the top in the best of Spirits under a splendid barrage of shells.  At 5:30 on the morning of July 31, when 25 yards from our objective, Terence was hit in the groin by a piece of shell, dying an hour later.  I pray it will be some consolation to know that he suffered absolutely nothing, being unconscious all the time. Terence was absolutely brave, considering it was his first time in action with us. I may say that he was much esteemed and liked for his never-ending consideration of others and was always entertaining and cheerful."

Lived at 16 Eastham Street.

Terence is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium: Panel 34.