Arthur
CROW(E)
1884 - 1917
Early Life
ARTHUR CROW (sometimes CROWE) was born in the spring of 1884 in Great Waltham and baptised at the Parish Church on the 2nd March 1884. He was one of 9 children, five sons and four daughters, born to John and Mary Ann Crow (née Tyler) who lived in Barrack Road, Great Waltham.
John, a labourer and Mary, both lived in the village and were married on the 23rd October 1869 in the Parish Church.
Arthur was their sixth child and worked as a Bricklayer apprentice in 1901 and a farm labourer in 1911, aged 27 years.
Military Life
He enlisted on the 23rd September 1914 as a Private, Regimental No. 14575 in the 12th Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, which was a line infantry regiment. At some point the Regiment joined forces with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) and Arthur was given a new number Regimental No. 51761.
In January 1917 the Battalion was at the Front Line in ‘Warwick Huts’ at Thiepval. The weather was very cold with hard frosts all day.
Death and Memorial
On the 22nd January 1917 it was recorded in the War Diaries as being very quiet early morning with ‘usual artillery activity’ in the Trenches, but there was great aerial bombing activity by the enemy and one enemy machine was brought down behind the line. A machine gun and camera was thrown out by the German aviator before descending, which was claimed by the British officers.
Arthur was recorded as ‘Killed in Action’ on this day and his body was never recovered.
CHELMSFORD CHRONICLE 23 FEBRUARY 1917
He is ‘Remembered with Honour’ on the Thiepval Memorial Pier & Face 8C, 9A & 16A.
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Arthur is also remembered on the Great Waltham War Memorial. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British Medal.
MEDAL CARD
UK Army Soldiers Effects
His father, John received £6.0s.9d on the 14th May 1917 and a further Gratuity payment on the 23rd October 1919 of £3.
His parents lived in Howe Street, his mother died on the 7th March 1922 and his father died on the 30th March 1926. They are both buried in Great Waltham Churchyard.