Name
James Walter Croft
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/04/1915
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
1626
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY
IV. B. 40.
France
Headstone Inscription
REST IN THE LORD FROM MOTHER,FATHER AND SISTER
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church (formerly Holy Trinity Church) Memorial Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
James Walter Croft was born in Cheshunt, Herts, in 1894. Son of James Croft a, Carman and Annie Croft (nee Hayes). The eldest of five children although three died in infancy.
He was Baptised James Walter Croft in the Parish of Waltham Cross, Herts, on 14th March 1894.
1901 Census records James aged 7, living with his parents and sister Dorothy (2) at, 33 Cecil Road, Waltham Cross, Herts. 1911 Census records James (17), working as a Domestic Gardener living with his parents and sister Dorothy (12) at, 12 Cecil Road, Waltham Cross, Herts. His father’s occupation is given as a Fireman.
In late 1911 James enlisted in the Hertfordshire Regiment with the service number 1626. He enlisted as Walter James Croft.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war James/Walter was still serving with the Herts Regiment. In August 1914 the Herts Regiment was stationed at Hertford. Mobilizes for war and moved to Bury St. Edmonds. The Battalion left Bury St. Edmonds on 5th November 1914, aboard two trains, they embarked that evening aboard the “City of Chester” sailing late that night arriving at Le Havre, France the following morning the 6th November. The Battalion disembarked about mid-day and marched 31/2 miles to No. 2, Rest Camp.
James/Walter died on 17th April 1915, of wounds received in action.
Extract from Battalion War Diary
17-4-1915 – Relived by 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards. Private 1626 Walter James Croft died of wounds today.
Additional Information
His Headstone inscription “REST IN THE LORD FROM MOTHER,FATHER AND SISTER” was requested by his parents James and Annie Croft. His mother Annie Croft received a dependents pension of 5/- a week from 6th June 1916, and his effects of £8-00s-5d, Pay Owing and his War Gratuity of £3. CWGC records him as Walter James Croft as does his military records. All other records are James Walter Croft.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
