Name
Edward Croft
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
17236
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
'C' Coy,
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ
III. C. 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Ippolyts Church Roll of Honour, Letchworth Town Memorial, Not on the Great Wymondley memorials
Pre War
Edward was born in1880, in Great Wymondley, Herts. The son of John Croft and Mary Croft (nee Lake). He was Baptised on the 7th November 1880, in Great Wymondley, Herts. He was one of five children.
The 1881 Census records Edward aged 1 month, living with his parents and elder brother Herbert 2, in Great Wymondley, Herts. The 1891 Census records Edward aged 10, at school, living with his parents, brothers Herbert 12, William 4, and sister Minnie 6, in Great Wymondley. The 1901 Census records Edward aged 20, living with his parents, brothers Herbert 22, William 14, and Arthur 9, in Great Wymondley. His occupation is given as a Farm Labourer. In 1902, Edward Married Sarah Elizabeth Pearce in Royston, Herts. The 1911 Census records Edward aged 29 Married with 3 sons, Ernest 7, Arthur 6 and Herbert 5, living at 35a Cross Street, Letchworth, Herts. His occupation is given as a Building Foreman Labourer.
Wartime Service
Edward enlisted in Hertford. He was posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment, with the service number 17236.
He disembarked in France on the 3rd September 1915. Edward was Killed in Action on the 1st July 1916, (The first day of the Battle of the Somme).
Additional Information
Edwards brother Arthur was Killed in Action on the 25th April 1917.
Acknowledgments
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild, Stuart Osborne
