Name
Charles Moorcroft (MM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/05/1918
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
141346
Machine Gun Corps
25th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LA CLYTTE MILITARY CEMETERY
IV. D. 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Rest in the Lord
UK & Other Memorials
Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
Charles was born in Wittle-le Woods, Chorley in 1892 to Richard Moorcroft, a cotton weaver and later a bicycle builder and Ellen (nee Whitnell). The family lived on Bridge Street.
On the 1901 Census the family were still living on Bridge Street Whittle le Woods and Charles had 3 Brothers, Colin, Fred and James together with a sister Emily. By the 1911 Census Charles was listed as a cotton weaver. Charles married Maggie Walmsley in Chorley in 1915. There seems to be no connection with Harpenden but a Charles Moorcroft is named in St Nicholas Church, Harpenden.
Wartime Service
Charles enlisted in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment as Private 21863. He transferred to the 25th Battalion Machine Gun Corps and renumbered as 141346.
This battalion had been formed on 1 Mar 1918 by amalgamating the Machine Gun Companies of the 25th Division. This division had been taking part in the Second Battle of Kemmel near Ypres during the German Spring Offensive. Charles was killed in action on 4 May 1918. He was awarded the Military Medal.
Additional Information
His widow, Mrs M Moorcroft , 7 Rock Villa Road, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley, Lancs., ordered his headstone inscription: "Rest in the Lord". War gratuity of £12 10s and arrears of £11 10s 1d paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild,
