Background
Gresley was born in Derbyshire and studied at Derby School of Artist He was the son of Frank Gresley and grandson of James Stephen Gresley both of whom were notable artists.
Gresley was born in Derbyshire and studied at Derby School of Artist He was the son of Frank Gresley and grandson of James Stephen Gresley both of whom were notable artists.
He was a painter of landscapes and portraits in watercolour and oil. He has a substantial number of paintings in Derby Museum and Art Gallery. He interrupted his studies when the First World War broke out, joining 1st Battalion The Royal Fusiliers.
During the war he fought in the Balkans and in France.
His citation reads:
" G/16514 Sjt. H. Gresley, 1st Battalion, R. Fus.(Derby).
Throughout the operations in October and November, 1918. he repeatedly went forward well in advance of our troops and brought back very valuable information. On 7th November, 1918, after the battalion had been held up at Saint Vaast Louisiana Valee, he went forward with the leading wave under a barrage and pointed out their objectives."
He lived at Chellaston, near Derby until he died in 1967.
Some of his work is presented in Derby Museum and Art Gallery after 77 of his paintings were donated by art collector Alfred East. Goodey.