55748: Photograph of Private Ernest Gregory

Photograph of Ernest Gregory, Sheffield (born 1894). When war broke out - as a conscientious objector he refused to fight - he volunteered and joined the RAMC. He served as a stretcher-bearer and was gassed, and suffered from the effects until his death in 1976. The family's collection includes Gregory's medals which include a 1914-15 Star (225 Pte E. Gregory RAMC), and a Military Medal (405152 Pte E. Gregory 1/3 W. Rid. F.A. RAMC [1/3rd West Riding Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps]). The reverse of the card includes "love from Ernest March 31 17". In the writing of Ernest's wife (Jessie)'s brother "Military Medal gained at Paschendaele for Bravery in the Field for bringing in the wounded from the field in terrible conditions - under fire and through shell holes and mud filled with water up to the armpits".

Editor's Comment:
Pte. Gregory wears a Red Cross Armband, Small Box Respirator over his shoulder, and the belt of the Pattern 1914 Infantry Equipment with brace attachments - these were introduced for non-combatants who did not wear ammunition pouches. On the lower left sleeve is a Good Conduct badge, an inverted chevron awarded after two years.