William Greig

Private, London Regiment (London Scottish)

William Greig lived at 183 East Dulwich Grove with his parents, Robert and Sarah, before the First World War. He was one of seven children in the family and attended Alleyn's until 1907. After the outbreak of war in August 1914, William signed up for overseas service immediately and joined the London Regiment (London Scottish) as a Private. His battalion was the first Territorial Force unit to see active service during the war and was first engaged on October 30th 1914 during an attack on the Wysteschaete to Messines Road. This attack was devastating for the battalion and saw the loss of 11 Officers and 207 Other Ranks. The pressure of the British frontline did not ease throughout November and between the 8th-13th, the battalion suffered even more casualties as they were forced to retreat under extremely heavy shell fire to the East of Ypres. Unfortunately, William was one of the 72 casualties in this withdrawal, being killed in action on November 12th 1914. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.