CRICK, Edward William


No.27402, Private, Edward William CRICK
Aged 33


6th Battalion, Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry
formerly 5438, Royal Fusiliers
Killed in Action on 22nd August 1917


Edward William Crick was born in Horringer (birth registration not found) son of Jeffrey and Mary Ann CRICK (née POTTER). His father's 1st wife was Emily ARBON (d.1880)

1891 census...Aged 6, he was at Sharp's Lane, Horringer with his father William CRICK [48] sawyer born Chedburgh; his mother Mary Ann [45] born Risby; half brother James POTTER [19] sawyer's labourer, born Risby; William [12], James [10] and Frederick [5]. The four youngest boys all born in Horringer

1901 census...Aged 17, now entered as William E, a farm labourer, he was still at Sharp's Lane with his parents; and brother Frederick J (carpenter).

1911 census...Aged 27, a labourer/carter, he was at Twine Cottages, Horringer with his wife Nellie [22] born Bury St.Edmunds and son George Edward [1] born Horringer. His mother died in 1906, father in 1912

He married Nellie BRYANT [23-4-1888] in 1909. On pension card at Sharp's Lane, Horringer later of Rectory Cottages, Whepstead. Their children were George Edward [6-7-1909], Walter Richard [6-5-1911] and Eileen Phyllis [19-5-1916]. George Edward had a guardian appointed sometime, F Douglas Turner M.B. Royal Institution, Colchester, George was a patient there until his death in 1973.


He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
During operations on 21st/22nd August the battalion's casualties were : 6 officers killed, 2 wounded and missing, 9 wounded, other ranks 42 killed, 74 missing, 209 wounded.
They went over the top, 1 Coy on right, 4 Coy on left, 2 Coy in Support and 3 Coy in last wave. Leading waves quickly reached Inverness Copse with slight casualties except 4 and 2 Coys who had problems dealing with a German strongpoint. 130 prisoners were sent back from West edge of Inverness Copse.
8:30am 1, 2 and 4 Coys reported they were now seriously depleted, so 3 Coy sent up to assist and request to Brigade and 10th Durham LI for support.
Pigeon message sent to Brigade 9:35 by 3 Coy "Have arrived, strength 2 platoons East edge of Copse. Am being surrounded so we must fall back. No further supports have arrived"
About 11:57 a battalion of Germans were seen advancing and SOS sent for artillery. Despite not opening fire until after 1pm, the artillery did stop the German advance
2 pm message "Enemy checked by machine guns and Lewis gun fire and dispersed by artillery
SOS 4:41 " Line now runs from strongpoint J.14.c.85.65. to edge of Copse J.14.c.80.54, thence to Menin Road J.14.c.80.35 to J.14.c.95.00 then approx down JASPER AVENUE.. Trench strength under 90.





Edward found here and re-interred in 1923



photo CWGC

Edward Crick is buried in Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium 7A:B:8

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


BACK