Name
(Edgar) George Croft
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
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey, Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials, Not on the Leverstock Green memorials
Pre War
Son of Caroline (nee ENGLAND) CROFT of Watford Fields, and the late George CROFT. He was one of three children, with older sister Lillian b. 1886, and younger brother Francis b. 1891.
His parents married 10 October 1885 at All Saints, Leavesden, Herts. George possibly died 1899 in the Epsom, Surrey, district aged 37; Caroline died 1932 in Watford aged 68, and was buried 22 July in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford.
Edgar George Croft (known as George) was born 4 January 1890 in Leverstock Green, Herts, and baptised on 6th August 1890 at Holy Trinity, Leverstock Green. He resided in Watford.
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.
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.
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 Ambala, India.
His mother later lived at 1, Tucker St., Watford Fields, Watford.
Wartime Service
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.
He was entitled to the Victory, British and 1914-15 Star medals.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Edgar’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. 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.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
