Name
John Crew
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/05/1915
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
10479
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY
III. D. 13.
France
Headstone Inscription
A SHORT LIFE NOBLY ENDED
UK & Other Memorials
Chapel War Memorial (now in Methodist Church), Kinsbourne Green, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden, East Hyde Village Memorial, East Hyde, Beds., Luton Hoo Memorial, Bedfordshire
Pre War
John was born in Hyde, Luton 1896 to James Crew, a farm cowman and Emma (nee Hunt). In 1911 he was a farm labourer. He worked on Home Farm on the Luton Hoo Estate.
Wartime Service
Died of wounds - Memorial East Hyde churchyard.
John joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, his serial number indicates he probably enlisted in Aug 1914 and after training he went to France on 23 Feb 1915 to join 2nd Battalion in Belgium.
The 2nd Battalion had been in Flanders from Oct 1914. On 16 May the 2nd Bedfordshires took an active part in the Battle of Festubert, capturing an enemy trench but were subject to heavy shelling and sustained heavy casualties. John was wounded in this action and died on the next day, 17 May 1915.
Additional Information
His headstone inscription, requested by his mother, Mrs. E. Crew, 53, West Hyde, Luton.. reads "A SHORT LIFE NOBLY ENDED".
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Felicity Brimblecombe
