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213020 Sergeant James Greenan DCM. British Army 6th Btn. Border Regiment from:Cleator Moor near Whitehaven (d.7th Jun 1917) James Greenan was a Great Uncle of mine. Said to have been previously injured in a "gas attack" but returned to his unit and was killed in action 7th June 1917. I have to assume it was in the action at Messines. I have tried to find evidence of his war grave but there seems to be no record of this. It has been said he was shot through the heart. There is a silk embroidered postcard in our familys possession which was reported to have been in his breast pocket when he was shot. The postcard does have a damaged edge. Additional Information: From an extract from a Diary written by Richard Wilson about events on 7/6/1917 ""On the night of June 6th we leave Mont Noir at 11pm and proceed to the neighbourhood of Kemmel. Leave there about 12 noon on the 7th and proceed to the firing line. From there we commence our attack under cover of a splendid and terrific barrage from our artillery. We go without opposition for about three quarters of a mile when we suddenly get a fearful bombardment from Fritz's heavy guns. Many were killed and wounded including Cpl Heap from Kendal, Major Chance and many others. We however got through this barrage and although we were disorganised we went on. The enemy's infantry would not stand and we drove them about two miles taking many prisoners. About one hundred of us assembled at Odoute Trench and led by Capt Hood and Lieuts Roberts and Farmer we attacked a farm. We find it already in the hands of the Australians. We form up to support them and are subjected to terrific trench mortar fire also troubled by snipers. Lt Farmer killed and I believe Lt Roberts if not killed badly wounded. I had a marvellous escape having just left a shell hole when all the occupants were killed one being Sgt Greenan DCM. This day has been one of the hardest and most furious that has ever been known. Our artillery firing short at night caused us to lose some of the ground we held. But altogether we did famous. I had dozens of near shaves. I hear Lt Roberts is dead, Major Chance doing nicely." this would seem to suggest that it was a shell exploding and killing all in the shell hole and may be the reason that your relative has no known grave Ian Jackson Reply Please type your message:      We recommend you copy the text about this item and keep a copy on your own computer before pressing submit. Your Name:             Email Address:       @ **Please put first part of your email, (before the @ sign) in the first box, and the second part in the second box. Do not include @, it is automatic. Do not enter your full email in each box or add an @ sign or random spaces.**