Private William Cawson Crain.
203801 2/4th East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action 20th November 1917, aged 20.
(photo by laurinlaurin espie)
William was born in Cliviger, Burnley, about 1898, the son of Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Crain. In the 1901 census the family were living at 7 Kingsland Rd., Burnley. Tom 30 farm servant, born in Burnley, Mary E 28 born in Lancaster, William 3 and Constance Evelyn 1 month.
By the time of 1911 census the family had moved to Causeway End Farm. Tom 40 farmer, Mary 39, William 13, Constance 10, Joyce Kathleen 8 and Hilda Elizabeth 5. William’s parents had been married 14 years with 4 children all living.
From the Burnley Express dated 28th Nov 1917: FARMERS ONLY SON. SOLDIER WHO WAS IN ELEVEN HOURS’ CRAWL.
Mr and Mrs Crain, of Causeway End Farm, Towneley, of this week received a letter from Lieutenant G Nelson, of the East Lancs (territorial) Regiment., conveying the sad juice not there only son, Private William Crain, had fallen in action. The news has caused genuine regret in the Burnley Wood District, where the young man was very popular, being a fine type of manhood standing about 6 feet, I'm being very strong. He made an ideal soldier, and it is deeply to be regretted he has Fallen so early. He joined the army on April 17th last, spent his 20th birthday in England and the following month, September 15th to be exact, he went overseas. He was in that memorable 11 hours crawl which East Lancs territorials endured to arrive in time to take part in the action on October 9th on Passchendaele Ridge. He came through this battle unscathed. The same morning as his parents received a very cheerful letter from him announcing he was going into the first line, they received the following letter from Lieutenant G Nelson:- " it is with the greatest sorrow that I have to inform you of the death in Action of your son 30392 Private W Crain. He was killed this morning, November 20th, about 8:30 a.m. And his death was instantaneous. He was a good lad, like my all, and for the action in which he met his death he willingly volunteered. It was on the Ypres front close to the Passchendaele Ridge, where he met his end. He was buried respectively under the supervision of Lieutenant Pollard of 128 Browhead Road Burnley, who saw that everything possible was done to give him a good final resting place. The officer's, N.C.O's, and Men of the company join with me in expressing our deepest sympathy in this your sorrowing moments." Private Crain who attended St Mary's Church, had served two years with Mr W Holdsworth, pork Butcher, but had been working on his father's Farm sometime before enlisting.
William left his effects to his father Thomas.
William was buried in Dochy Farm New British Cemetery, Belgium: Grave Ref; VIII.A.17. William was the son of Tom and Mary E Crain of Causeway End Farm, Towneley.
