Gnr
George Croft
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1893 |
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Place of birth: Blackpool, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Butcher |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Gunner |
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Service number: 104915 |
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Enlistment place: Manchester, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Field Artillery, "C" Bty. 74th Bde. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Lapin Farm, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 24 |
Cemetery
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Canada Farm Cemetery Plot: III Row: A Grave: 23 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal — 06/01/1920 |
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British War Medal Medal — 07/04/1920 |
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Victory Medal Medal — 07/04/1920 |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
George Croft was born in 1893. He was the youngest child of Ann and Thomas Croft of Blackpool, Lancashire. According to the 1911 Census, George worked as a butcher. He enlisted in 1915 in Manchester, Lancashire. By the time of the Battle of Passchendaele, George served as a gunner with the Royal Field Artillery "C" Battery, of the 74th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, part of the Divisional Artillery of the Guards Division.
On 18 and 19 August 1917 the 74th Brigade RFA moved to new positions at Lapin Farm, near Abri Wood. “C” and “D” Batteries moved into their new positions by General Farm. From these positions the Brigade supported the Guards Division, who were in the frontline opposite the Houthuls Forest. Throughout August 1917 George’s Brigade and the broader area was shelled on several occasions. The unit suffered a total of sixty-four casualties. Twelve men were killed and fifty-two men were wounded. During the month of September the Brigade had an equally hard time. Eight men were killed and twenty-seven were wounded, while six 18-pounder guns and five 4.5-inch Howitzers were put out of action, due to German counter shelling.
After a brief rest in the French village of Herzeele all Batteries took up their old positions. “C” and “D” Battery came up by Wood 15, while “D” Battery took up positions at Battery Copse. A couple of days later on 4 October 1917 the position of “C” Battery was subjected to heavy German shelling. Two officers and ten other ranks were killed or wounded. Gunner George Croft, 24-years old, was killed due to the shellfire near Lapin Farm. He was buried on Canada Farm Cemetery.
On 18 and 19 August 1917 the 74th Brigade RFA moved to new positions at Lapin Farm, near Abri Wood. “C” and “D” Batteries moved into their new positions by General Farm. From these positions the Brigade supported the Guards Division, who were in the frontline opposite the Houthuls Forest. Throughout August 1917 George’s Brigade and the broader area was shelled on several occasions. The unit suffered a total of sixty-four casualties. Twelve men were killed and fifty-two men were wounded. During the month of September the Brigade had an equally hard time. Eight men were killed and twenty-seven were wounded, while six 18-pounder guns and five 4.5-inch Howitzers were put out of action, due to German counter shelling.
After a brief rest in the French village of Herzeele all Batteries took up their old positions. “C” and “D” Battery came up by Wood 15, while “D” Battery took up positions at Battery Copse. A couple of days later on 4 October 1917 the position of “C” Battery was subjected to heavy German shelling. Two officers and ten other ranks were killed or wounded. Gunner George Croft, 24-years old, was killed due to the shellfire near Lapin Farm. He was buried on Canada Farm Cemetery.
Sources 4
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/435584/croft,-george/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary 74th Brigade RFA http://www.nmarchive.com/ Further reference |