Name
Frank Critcher
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/10/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
203353
Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment
1st/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NIAGARA CEMETERY, IWUY
D.30
France
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial
St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth
Pre War
Frank was born in 1898 in Chalfont st Giles the son of George and Ellen (nee Reed) Critcher who, in 1901, were living there with their six children. George was described as a Housekeeper on Farm. In 1911 they were at 52 Talbot Road, Rickmansworth and George was now a Drayman.
By the time of Frank’s death they had moved to 71 High Street, Rickmansworth. Frank left all of his effects to his mother.
Recorded as enlisting in Hertford.
Wartime Service
1st/4th Battalion landed Boulogne on the 14th of April 1915 and on the 15th of May joined 147th Brigade 49th (West Riding) Division.
Over the next three and a half years they participated in numerous actions.
On the 9th and 10th of October 1918 4th Army spearheaded a rapid advance of over eight miles as the Germans made a sudden and rapid withdrawal to the line of the Selle river. Their defences covering this retreat were extremely well organised based on “centres of resistance” around the many villages and woods between their last prepared defences and the river.
Frank was killed north of Rieux in this action as an attack was launched on Iowy and the ground south west of it.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Tanya Britton, Mike Collins
