gresley was born in edinburgh during his mother's visit there to see a gynaecologist, but was raised in netherseal, derbyshire, a member of a cadet branch of a family long seated at gresley, derbyshire. after attending school in sussex and at marlborough college, gresley served his apprenticeship at the crewe works of the london and north western railway, afterwards becoming a pupil under john aspinall at horwich of the lancashire and yorkshire railway (l&yr). after several minor appointments with the l&yr he was made outdoor assistant in the carriage and wagon department in 1901; in 1902 he was appointed assistant works manager at newton heath depot, and works manager the following year.