Enlisted in October 1914; Arrived in France with the II Reinforcement in June 1915; Disembodied in February 1919; Died in 1985 aged 88.
Albert is one of those men that served through most of the War, but there is very little information about him – so this post will give him a digital remembrance.
Served in France with the 1/7th and 1/6th Battalions……a most interesting item of ephemera….
“Good-By; Good Luck and all success to you in Civil life, from your old Commander”
[GF Boyd Major General Commanding 46th North Midland Division]
Albert Henry Crofts (Crafts) was born in 1881 and was a picture frame maker from Long Eaton. He enlisted into the 7th Battalion (Robin Hood Rifles) in February 1912 and arrived in France in June 1915 with the 1st reinforcement.
Alfred was still serving with the 1/7th Battalion in February 1917, but later transferred to the 1/6th Battalion. He was eventually disembodied in February 1919.
Interestingly Alfred has two Medal Index Cards recoding different surnames
It would appear that Alfred was serving with the 8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters at the outbreak of the Second World War and deployed with them to Norway where they suffered heavy casualties during the German invasion in April 1940.
See here
Enlisted in December 1915 into the 3/6th Battalion. Possibly served in Ireland with the 2/6th Battalion and likely to have arrived in France with the 59th Division in Spring 1917. One of the few survivors of the first day of the Kaiserschlacht (21st March 1918), but was severely wounded by a gas shell.
Enlisted in December 1915 and served with the 2/6th and 10th Battalions. Mostly likely saw action in Dublin in 1916. Wounded and captured by the Germans in March 1918. Discharged with a pension in June 1919.
Enlisted December 1916 and discharged in May 1919. Served overseas with the 2/6th Battalion.
Awarded Victory and British War Medal and a Silver Wound Badge. Awarded a pension due to neuroasthenia (chronic fatigue syndrome).
Attested in December 1915 (Derby Scheme). Mobilised and posted to the 19th Battalion for training in April 1916. Arrived in France in August 1918 and served with the 17th and 2/6th Battalions.
Attested: 13/12/1915
To Army Reserve: 14/12/1915
Mobilised: 18/04/1916
Posted (19th Battn): 22/04/1916
France: 31/07/1916
Posted (17th Battn): 02/08/1916
GSW leg: 03/09/1916
Joseph was wounded during the attack by the 17th Battalion – the Welbeck Rangers (117th Bde/39th Division) – on German trenches around Beaumont Hamel. In total the Battalion suffered 454 casualties.
Home: 15/09/1916
Posted (D): 15/09/1916
Posted (3rd Battn): 15/06/1917
France: 28/07/1916
Posted (Base): 28/07/1917
Posted (2/6th Battn): 17/08/1917
Home: 13/10/1917
GSW head with depressed fracture of skull
It is highly likely Joseph was wounded on the 26th September 1917 during the Battle of Ypres -see here.
Posted (D): 13/10/1917
Discharged: 31/08/1918
Joseph received a pension.
A brick layer from New Mills. Enlisted in October 1914. Served with 2/6th (in Ireland) and 10th Battalions.
A clerk from Derbyshire. Attested in November 1915 (Derby Scheme). Mobilised in March 1916 and posted to 3/6th and 1/6th Battalions. Later transferred with 100 men to the 17th Battalion in September 1916. Suffered shell shock in July 1917 and was discharged in November 1917.
Enlisted in October 1914 and served with 2/6th and 10th Battalions. Admitted to Hospital in January 1919 with a shell wound to the arm.
A brass moulder from Nottingham who enlisted in September 1914. Arrived in France in June 1915. Served with the 1/7th and 1/6th Battalions and suffered a GSW in the side – date unknown.
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 