Walter Crowson

Born in 1888 the son of Edmund Hebblewhite and Sarah Jane Crowson, Walter had a brother Edmund and sister Annie. In 1901, the family was at Lambley, living on Town Street and his parents were still in Lambley in 1911. Edmund H was a domestic groom and gardener. His parents were living at High Lane Schoolhouse, Ecclesall, Ringinglow Road, Sheffield by 1915 but Walter listed an Aunt Johnson as one of his family who was living in Lambley at that time.

In 1907 he was a farm labourer and a professional soldier by 1911.

Walter Crowson enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters on 1 October 1907. He was listed as 18 years 8 months of age, 5 feet 3 inches in height and a farm servant. He was based in England until 7 October 1909 when he joined the 1st Battalion in India. Walter returned to England with the battalion in October 1914. After reorganising and retraining, the battalion moved to France on 4 November 1914. On 4 January 1915 Walter was made an unpaid Lance Corporal and on 19th appointed paid Lance Corporal. At 5 am on 12 March 1915 the enemy shelled battalion headquarters and advanced in overwhelming numbers forcing the right of the battalion to retire. After inflicting heavy losses on the enemy the battalion retired to the support trench some 150 yards to the rear. The enemy continued its advance but was thrown into disorder by the heroic acts of Private Rivers and advances by the battalion. The battalion regained its original trenches and caused more losses to the enemy. At 9 pm, the battalion was withdrawn to the support trench and a new defensive line was taken up. At some point in the day Walter was killed and he has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial. He was eligible for the 1914 star, British and Victory medals which were sent to a Mrs E H Crowson following his death. John Morse