Name
William Robert Croucher
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/08/1915
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
50183
Royal Garrison Artillery
90th Heavy Battery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LANCASHIRE LANDING CEMETERY
E. 87
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Bushey Town Memorial, St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey, Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
Born in Watford in 1879, William Robert Croucher was the eldest son of Robert and Harriet (née Kingham) Croucher, who’s marriage was registered in 1875 in the Watford district. His father was a general labourer, living initially at Watford Field.
William was one of eight children, three of whom died during childhood. As the family increased, they moved to 5 Lower Paddock Road, Oxhey.
William was employed as a road labourer and married Annie Elizabeth (née Hucker) in 1900, the marriage registered in the Watford district. By 1915 they were living at 2, Prospect Place, Chalk Hill, Bushey.
Recorded
as born in Watford and was living in Oakley, Herts (sic probably Beds) when he enlisted in Woolwich, Kent.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in 1915 at the age of 34 as a Gunner 50183 in the Heavy Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. He served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and, according to his pension record, was killed in action on 7 August 1915. The record also identifies two children; Dorothy Harriet (born 14/08/1900) and William George Robert (born 03/03/1905).
He is remembered with honour at the Lancashire Landing Cemetery in Turkey. He is commemorated on the memorial at St Matthew’s Church, Oxhey.
Additional Information
His younger brother, George, died at home in 1920 after serving on the Western Front. Information provided with the kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
