Albert Crofts
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert was born at Retford in 1894 and was the son of Sidney James (died 1935) and Elizabeth Crofts (died 1934) of Wellow, Newark. Sidney was a locomotive engine fitter and had been born in Wellow and Elizabeth was born in Ordsall. They had six children one of whom died before the 1911 Census. On the 1911 Census, the family was living at Wellow. Albert was 15 years of age and a farm servant . Also in the household were three of his brothers, all born at Retford - Trevor (1891), Clarence (1899) and George (1902).
Albert enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 6th battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. He served in the Dardanelles in October 1915. Albert was killed on 22 November 1915 while out with his company repairing a parapet in their trench when a stray bullet hit him in the neck. He died very shortly afterwards. He is buried in Azmak Cemetery, Suvla, Turkey (grave reference I.G.18). CWGC Azmak Cemetery: 'The cemetery was made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from isolated sites in the area and from the following smaller cemeteries [listed].'
Inscription family headstone, St Swithin's churchyard: 'And of Albert their son who fell in action in Gallipoli November 1915. Rest in Peace'Private Albert Crofts Retford Times 7 Jan 1916 Mr and Mrs Crofts of Wellow, have received the sad information that their son, Alfred Crofts, 6th Lincolns, was killed on Nov 22 in the Dardanelles. Sergt Mulligan of the R.A.M.C., attached to the 6th Lincolns conveyed the news in the following letter:- “It is with deep and sincere regret I write to tell you of the death of your dear son Albert. He was out with his company repairing a parapet in the trench, when a stray bullet caught him in the neck. He was dressed by the stretcher bearers but he expired on the way to the dressing station. He never regained consciousness after he was shot. I have made him comfortable for the night and he will be buried in a little grave about 200 yards from his company. I will put a little cross on his grave. He was liked by all who knew him. It has pleased God to take him, so you have the comfort in knowing he did his duty. Try and bear up. God will give you strength and comfort in your great sorrow. Please accept my deep sympathy.” Pte Croft s, who was 21 years of age, enlisted shortly after the outbreak of hostilities and went out to the Dardanelles on October 11th. He was formerly three years with Mr Ragsdale of Wellow and later on was employed by Mr Day of Kneesall.'The memorial in St Swithin's church was dedicated in August 1921. The service was conducted by the vicars of Kneesall and Ollerton and the memorial unveiled by Albert's brother, Clarence Crofts, who was described in the newspaper report of the ceremony as 'a Wellow soldier who has lost both legs through the war.'
