john george crutchley

[chris forrest]

Hi, I am seeking some information with regards to a John George Crutchley who joined the Worcestershire regiment in January 1903 and whose regimental number was 31225.

I am not a relative of any kind but discovered that John was buried at Gunby in Lincolnshire in November 1933 and that at the time he was living at Burgh Station, of which I am attempting a brief history. In the burial register for Gunby there is a hand written comment alongside the official entry stating that John was a member of the WR and part of the B.E.F. in 1914.

I would really like to know which battalion he may have been part of and any information regarding his whereabouts throughout the war. How he came to be buried in Gunby I have no idea!!

I hope that someone may be able to help. Thanks Chris.

[johnjarratt]

There appears to be 2 John George Crutchley's.
Or possibly 1 man re-enlisting.

7646 John G Crutchley, joined 2nd Worc - 18-02-03 (Aged 17) discharged 18-02-16.

Then theres

31225 John G Crutchley, joined 5th Worc 16-06-16 (Aged 30!) Discharged 22-02-18

The only differene between them is their recorded heights 5' 6" & 5'10".

It looks to me like the same person re-listing, but i can't be sure, maybe someone else on this forum can shed more light on this.

But if you e-mail me hello to john@lostmedals.co.uk
I will send you the documents i have got, there are 16 pages of records and 2 Medal index cards, so it might take a while for your e-mail to open.

Cheers John.

[Mike Jones]

Hello Chris,
Welcome to the Forum, you have a real man of mystery there in more ways than one ! He is on the 2nd Bn. Embarkation list (12th August 1914) as Crutchley J. T.. His 1914 Star is named to Crutchley J. C.. His Victory and War medals are named to Crutchley John George but all three are the same man. He has another surprise, another Medal Index Card in the W.O. 372/23 series. This series is for Gallantry medals and when I checked he was awarded a Military Medal in 1918 ! He also has Silver War Badge, awarded in 1918. It is the information on that medal that ties Crutchley 31225 to Crutchley 7646. Why did you refer to him as 31225, please?
I have to say well done to John, he is getting good at this.
Regards Mike

[chris forrest]

Thanks to you both John and Mike, things are never that straightforwrd are they. Must confess though it does seem pretty interesting.

I see from his attestation paper that he was given the regimental number 7646 in 1903 - had he tranferred from the Royal Warwickshire regiment? I took the 31225 number from the WW1 medal rolls index card for John George Crutchley but I can now see the link to the 7646 number. I simply assumed that it was unlikely that there were two John George Crutchley's in the Worcestershire Regiment.

I am unsure as to how it all works but if he had signed up for twelve years in total in 1903 would he have completed his term by 1915. Would he have needed to officially re-enlist in 1916?

If they are one and the same man is it now possible to find out where he was posted. You couldn't tell me why he is recorded as living at the station in Burgh in 1933 could you? (Only joking)

Once again thanks for your help, it is much appreciated.

Chris

[allanp]

Hi All

The plot thickens. I have found an entry in the 6th February 1915 edition of the Worcester Herald that states 7646 Pte CRITCHLEY, Rejoined the 5th Battalion on the 1st February 1915.

Regards Allan