Name
Frederick Crawley
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/06/1918
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
7623
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (11)
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIENNES BRITISH CEMETERY
Row D, Grave 8.
France
UK & Other Memorials
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford,
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial,
St Mary's Church Memorial, Rickmansworth
Pre War
Frederick was born in Enniskillen, Ireland on the 16th of August 1887 the son of Frederick and Ellen (nee Cardy) Crawley. His father was probably serving in the army at the time.
His parents married 25 December 1885 at St Botolph’s, Colchester. Frederick died 1921 in the Watford district aged 58; Ellen died 1934 in Watford aged 69, and was buried 30 April in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford.
Frederick was born 1887 in Enniskillen, Ireland, and married 1916 in the Watford district; they had one child. Clara never remarried and died 2 February 1968 in Watford aged 77.
In 1891 Frederick senior was a Colour Sergeant in the Bedfordshire Regiment based at Kempton Barracks, Bedford where recruits for the territorial army were trained. His wife and Frederick junior were with him.
In 1901 Frederick junior age 13 was an Errand Boy staying with his uncle George Prior and family at 30 Lucas Road, Colchester. In 1911 he was a Private aged 25 in the 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry stationed in Bloemfontain, Orange Free State, South Africa.
In 1916 he married Clara Louisa Webb and their daughter Joan was born in 1917. Clara did not remarry and in 1939 was living at 4 Harvey Road, Croxley Green with her brother Sidney, her daughter Joan, and Richard E Newton.
Wartime Service
He is recorded as enlisting in Colchester, Essex.
The 1st Battalion landed Le Havre 15th of August 1914 as part of 14th Brigade 5th Division, Frederick’s overseas qualifying date being 21st August 1914. They transferred to 95th Brigade on the 12th of January 1916.
The Division moved to Italy in November 1917 but returned to France in April 1918.
On the day Frederick was killed the Battalion moved from La Lacque to assembly trenches near La Becque, later attacking the enemy front line near L’Epinette. Casualties were high, around 40%.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Frederick’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Tanya Britton, Mike Collins, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
