[Edgar] George Croft

Name

[Edgar] George Croft
1890

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

12/10/1916
26

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Serjeant
8919
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
2nd Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 6A and 6B.
France

Headstone Inscription

N/A

UK & Other Memorials

St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey, Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials, Not on the Leverstock Green memorials

Pre War

Edgar George Croft (known as George) was born in Leverstock Green, Herts, in 1890, son of George Croft and Caroline Croft (nee England). He was baptised Edgar George Croft on 6th August 1890 in the Parish of Leverstock Green.  He was one of three children, with older sister Lillian b. 1886, and younger brother Francis b. 1891.  

The 1891 Census records George aged 1, his mother and 1 month old brother (as yet unnamed) living with his mother's brother Henry England and his wife Louisa and their family at 8, Shaftsbury Road, Watford, Herts.

His father George Croft died in 1892, aged 29 and his brother Frances in 1900. 

By 1901, 11 year old George was living with another Uncle and Aunt, George and Lydia Abbott and their family at 101 Villiers Road, New Bushey, Herts.

His mother later lived at 1, Tucker St., Watford Fields, Watford. 

Wartime Service

George enlisted into the Army in about 1908 George, joining the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), with the Service No. 8919. He was listed on the 1911 Census as aged 22, single and a Private in the 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) which was stationed in India. At the outbreak of war he was probably still serving in the Army, with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). His Medal Card indicates he served in France from 7 March 1915. The following month he was wounded and admitted to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station, with a gun shot wound from which he recovered.

George was killed in action on 12th October 1916, possible at the Battle of Le Transloy, (1st - 18th October 1916). He has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on the Somme, and also on St Matthew's Church Memorial, Oxhey, Herts.

Additional Information

His mother received a war gratuity of £15 10s and pay owing of £18 4s 6d. She also received a dependents Pension of 15/- per week. Son of G. and Caroline Croft, of 1, Tucker St., Watford Fields, Watford. Also see ‘Additional Information’ provided with kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.

Acknowledgments

Stuart Osborne, Brenda Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild,