William Crowder

Private William Crowder, served with the 11th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action on 16th September 1917. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Article published in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times 19th October 1917 :- “PRIVATE WM. CROWDER KILLED. “Private William Crowder, Sherwood Foresters, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Crowder, of 64, Newgate-lane, Mansfield, was killed on September 15th. Prior to enlisting he was employed by his uncle in the coal carting business. He has been in France for nearly six months and spent a short leave at home in April last, and returned to the front on the 28th of that month. He leaves a widow and one child. “Mrs. Crowder has received the following letter from the chaplain:— “Sherwood Foresters. “26-9 17. “Dear Madam, — lt is in deep sympathy that I write to tell you that your husband, Private William Crowder, was killed in action on the 15th inst. He has been buried by the battalion where he fell. The exact spot will be notified to you later by the authorities. He has died a hero, and I know he is mourned by many pals. But “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” And again the Lord Jesus saith: “He that believeth on Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” — R.l.P. — May I once offer to you and all his folk at home my sincere sympathy in your great bereavement. — Yours faithfully, J. B. Jones, Chaplain, C.E.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918