7th Battalion Manchester Regiment
John's parents were John William and Margaret Elizabeth Holland. He was born in Sale in 1893, and was one of eight children. His father John Hargreaves was a dress goods agent and the family lived at 'The Homestead' in Georges Road, Sale. The 1911 census records John living with his parents and being employed as a draper’s apprentice.
In August 1914, John and his younger brother Harry enlisted in the 7th Battalion Manchester Regiment. The Battalion, which was part of the Manchester Brigade, mobilised for war on 10 September 1914 and, after being garrisoned in the Middle East for eight months, landed at Gallipoli on 6 May 1915. The Manchester Brigade was soon in action and John was killed on 4 June 1915 in what later became known as the Third Battle of Krithia. Initially John was posted as missing and it was not until June 1916 that his family were notified he had been killed; he was 22.
His death is recorded on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey and he is commemorated on our War Memorial at St. John’s.