Lance/Corporal Moses Crabtree.
1939 1/5th East Lancashire.
Missing in Action 5th June 1915, aged 33.
Moses was born in Bedford about 1882, the son of Sutcliffe and Margaret Crabtree. In the 1891 census Sutcliffe was a Mason’s labourer and he was born in Accrington, Lancs, aged 35. His wife Margaret was also born in Accrington and was 29. John 10, Moses 9, Mary A 7, Fred 6, Sutcliffe 4, living at 15 Cow Lane, Burnley.
Moses married Bridget Clarke both 19 on the 15th Sept. 1900, both 19 and living in Master St., Burnley, Moses was a miner.
By the time of the 1901 census the family had moved to 3 Master St., Burnley, Sutcliffe 46, property repairer in his own business, Mary Ann 40, Fred 15, Sutcliffe 14, William, Abraham 5, Margaret 3, Moses 18 and his wife Bridget 19.
The 1911 census shows us that Moses 29 and a labourer was in his own home with wife Bridget 29, they had been married 10 years and had 2 children who had both died. They were living at 4 Mills St, Burnley in 2 rooms.
From the Burnley Express dated 28th Nov 1914: SIX SOLDIER SONS IN SERVICE.
Of his 6 sons, Sutcliffe Crabtree, age 59 or 3 Master Street Burnley, a property repair who is an active member of the East Lancs veteran reserve, and who served 3 years with the Royal Engineers, says they all took to soldiering as ducks take to water. "John is the eldest" he told our representative as they chatted and smoked together in front of a warm fire. The one I am "he is 33 and is in the second East Lancs. We don't know where he is, but he is somewhere in the firing line in France or Belgium. He was 7-years with the army service and 5-years on the reserve. Then comes Moses, 32 who is with the territorials in Egypt. He only joined in time for the last camp, but he had 12 years with the colours in the 3rd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Fred is next 30. He is in the 14th Hussars, and was called-up as a reservist when the war broke out. Soldiering always had a fascination for Fred, and he joined as soon as he was able. He was three years with the colours, and 10 years on the reserve, and even before then he was in the Army Service Corps."
"who comes next?" queried the Express reporter."next? Let me see. oh, Our Sut." "Sut?". ? "yes, Short for Sutcliffe. He is 28 and is now with the terriers in Egypt. Altogether he has been ten years with the territorials and volunteers, and was a drummer for the bugle band. After him there is William, 24 who's also with the territorials in Egypt. He has been in the Special Reserve. During the last 4 years he has been with the territorials. Last of all there is Abraham who is only 15, and as far as we know he's come off worst of the lot. He is in the Transport Corps of the Territorial, and what to have gone to Egypt, but was kicked by a horse, and is at present convalescent at Southport. He underwent an operation at Manchester, and is now getting on alright. It won't be long before he's fit Again."
"are those all the son's you have?" asked our representatives. " there was another he replied. He smoked in silence for a few seconds then pointed with his pipe across the room to the portrait of a little boy hanging on the wall. "That was our Napoleon he said. If only he had lived he would have been a soldier too".
From the Burnley News dated 20th February 1915: ROLL OF HONOUR.- BURNLEY MEN SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. - PROUD RECORD FOR ST MARY'S CHURCH. - (SECOND INSTALMENT)
We are publishing the second instalment of the Roll of Honour of men associated with the various churches in the town who have joined one or other of the branches of His Majesty's forces, we desire to thank the clergy and superintendence of the different denominations for their hearty cooperation in the compilation of the lists. We have received quite a number of letters expressing pleasure at the publications of the names of the men connected with the churches who have answered the country's call and it will be our endeavour to make the roll of honour as complete as possible. We have already in hand a very large proportion of church Returns, but there are a few not yet to hand, and we asked those in charge of lists not yet received to facilitate their completion. This week's the space allocated to the roll of honour is monopolized by the names of men connected with St Mary's Church Comber Yorkshire Street, who are now serving with the colours. A list of such abnormal proportions reflects great credit on St Mary's Parish and the town in general.
ST MARY'S.
Moses Crabtree of 4 Mill St. is listed on the Roll of Honour.
From the Burnley News dated 7th July 1915: ONE OF SIX FIGHTING BROTHERS MISSING.
Lance Corporal Moses Crabtree who is officially reported missing in the Dardanelles, is one of the six sons of Mr Sutcliffe Crabtree of Burnley, all of whom or with the colours. He joined the territorials 1/5th East Lancs, 18 months ago and for 12 years he was in the old Burnley militia. He was a Collier at Barden Pitt and very well known in Burnley. Of the other son's, Private John Crabtree of the East Lancs, returned home recently wounded, but is now back in the trenches. Private Willie Crabtree is being invalided home from Egypt, and his arrival is shortly expected, whilst Private Sutcliffe Crabtree is suffering from illness in hospital in Egypt. Another brother on Active Service is private Fred Crabtree of the 14th Hussars, a regular soldier, who went through the South African campaign. Private Abraham Crabtree has left with a draught of the 2nd East Lancs for the Dardanelles.
From the Burnley News dated 10th July 1915: BURNLEY MAN MISSING. ONE OF SIX BROTHERS.
as announced in our last edition Lance Corporal Moses Crabtree, 1 of 6 soldier sons of Mr Sutcliffe Crabtree of Burnley, who was serving at the Dardanelles with the 1/5th East Lancashire Regiment, is officially reported missing. Before enlisting in the territorials 18 months ago he was a Collier at Barden pit. He was for many years associated with the old volunteer movement in Burnley and was well known and respected.
From the Burnley News dated 9th October 1915: NOW REPORTED KILLED. BURNLEY TERRITORIAL FORMALLY STATED AS MISSING.
An official information has been received that 1939 Lance Corporal Crabtree 35 Vernon Street Burnley, one of the six soldier sons of Mr Sutcliffe Crabtree, was reported killed in action at the Dardanelles on June 5th.
The deceased man who was 33 years of age, leaves a widow and no children. One of his brothers William, is at present at home invalided. Another who is in France, as had some exciting experiences. On one occasion during some heavy fighting two horses were successively shot from under him. He was in the 1/5thEast Lancashire Regiment and had previously been reported missing. Before enlisting in the Territorial over 20 months ago, he was a Collier at Barden pit. He was for many years associated with the old volunteer movement in Burnley, and was well-known and respected.
Lived at 35 Vernon Street.
Moses left his effects to his widow Bridget.
Moses is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli: Panels 114 to 118 (Additional Panel)