Description
The First Day of the Battle of the Somme, Great War Memorial Plaque to William Croft, D.C.M.
SR/322 Serjeant WILLIAM THOMAS CROFT D.C.M. (24/06/1916) , 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment killed 1st July 1916 aged 37 years.
This plaque comes with the original waxed card envelope and more importantly the original postal envelope to his widow along with some family photographs. Of real significance is the letter to Mrs Croft from the IMPERIAL WAR GRAVES COMMISSION.
First Day of the Somme Memorial Plaque
This letter from the Imperial War Graves Commission is dated 7th October 1924.
This rare letter addressed to Mrs I J Croft of 4a Bermondsey Square, London, informs Mrs Croft that the resting place of your late husband, Sjt William Croft has now been moved to the British Military Cemetery at Ovillers. The cemetery is situated N.E. of the Town of Albert and is just west of the village of Ovillers and the N20 Aveluy Road. The letter goes on to state that of the 3236 servicemen who fell in the World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery of which 2276 are unidentified.
Commonwealth War Graves entry confirms that he was the “Son of Walter and Amelia Croft, of Bermondsey, London; husband of Isabel Jane Croft, of 4A, Bermondsey Square, Bermondsey, London. Enlisted 1894. Served in the South African Campaign.”
His citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal – London Gazette 26th June 1916. pp 1159.
G322 A/Sjt. W. CROFT 2nd Bn
For conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy trenches. After laying and exploding a small torpedo under the enemy’s wire he deliberately went forward sat down unde heavy fire from rifles and grenades, and cut the remainder of the wire. His gallantry saved many casualties and led in great measure to the success of the raid. (24/6/1916).
Of interest is an accompanying record of his conversion the the Catholic Church which he made during the war on a period of home leave at the Most Holy Trinity Church, Bermondsey.
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