Ninety five years ago today, Britain went to war with Germany. And on this day in 1918, 18/724 Private James William Crozier of the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action, one of four DLI men to lose their lives on this day.
Soldiers Died in The Great War notes that James was born at North Shields and was living there at the time of his enlistment. He actually enlisted though, in Sunderland, and his number indicates that he was an original member of the 18th (1st County) Battalion and that he joined up in the last week of September 1914.
James first went overseas in December 1915, arriving in Egypt on the 22nd December 1915 and thus qualifying - just - for the 1914-15 Star. This from The Long, Long Trail website:
"...often known by the name of the Durham Pals. Formed at Cocken Hall in County of Durham on 10 September 1914 by Col R Burdon and a committee. Moved in December to Fencehouses, then back to Cocken Hall in February 1915 and to Fencehouses again in March. In May 1915 it moved to Cramlington then Ripon, attached to 93rd Brigade in 31st Division. Went to Fovant in September. On 6th December 1915 it sailed from Liverpool for Egypt, arriving at Port Said on 21st December. Went on to France, arriving 11th March 1916."
The Commonwealth war Graves Commision notes that James Crozier was 32 years old when he died, the "eldest son of Elizabeth and the late John Robert Crozier, of North Shields. Husband of Isabel E. Crozier of 11 Vicarage Street, North Shields." He is buried in Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery in Morbecque; plot 2, row C, grave 7.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Sources:
Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Long, Long Trail
Image of Le Grand Hasard Cemetery from Panoramio
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