Joseph Myran Morecroft

Joseph Myran Morecroft was born in 1889 in Huckall Torkard and was the son of the late William Walter Joseph Morecroft and Annie Maria Morecroft. His father William was born in 1857 in Tamworth, Staffordshire, he died in 1916 at Basford aged 59 yrs, his mother Annie Maria was born in 1858 at Bishop Wood, Staffordshire they were married in 1879 in Derby and went on to have 9 children , sadly two were to die in infancy or early childhood prior to 1911, their surviving children were all born in Hucknall Torkard and were Martha b1885, William b1887, Joseph b 1889, Mary Jane b1892, Mary Ann b1894 and Sarah Ellen b1902 In 1911 census the family are living at 54 Hankin Street Butler's Hill Hucknall Torkard and are shown as William 57 yrs a green grocer , he is living with his wife Annie Maria 53 yrs and their children William 24 yrs a coal miner, Joseph 22 yrs a coal miner, Mary Jane 19 yrs a cigar maker, Mary Ann 17 yrs a cigar maker and Sarah Ellen 9 yrs a scholar

He was a coal miner

Rifleman Joseph Morecroft, enlisted in Nottingham on 5th December 1914 and served with the 7th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He landed in France on 19th May 1915 and was killed in action on 4th July 1915. He is buried in Bedford House Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium.

Article published in the Beeston Gazettee & Echo 10th July 1915 :- The deceased was 26 years of age, and lived with his parents in Hankin street. He was employed at Bestwood Colliery, and forsook his job on December 7th to enter the King's Royal Rifles. Having received his training, he was anxious to beat the Huns, and seven weeks ago he set foot in France. The neighbourhood he occupied at the was not made known, but the information notifying his parents of his death came to hand on Monday afternoon in the following letter from a lieutenant: Dear Mr. Morecroft, — l am very sorry to be the bearer of very sad news. Your was killed in action on July 1st and doing all that a man can possibly do — his duty. He was not in my platoon officer, Mr. Green, who was exceedingly fond of him, was killed in trying to save him through the parapet falling in. Your son was under me as a bomb-thrower, and was always willing to take any risks. I am sure that after the first feeling of sorrow at the loss of your son, who died an absolutely instantaneous and painless death, you will feel proud of him for having given his life for his country in such a national crisis. – I remain, sir, yours very truly, RICHMOND F. ROBINSON, Lieutenant, K.R.R. “As in the case of all the other Hucknallites who have entered into the Valley, the sympathy of the townsfolk is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Morecroft in the dark hour of sorrow.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918