Private Gladstone Crowther aged 32

Gladstone Crowther was born in 1885 in Boothtown to Annie (born Retford) and Bright Crowther (born Northowram) who was a Clogger. By 1901 they were living in Illingworth and Gladstone (16) was working as a warehouse boy in a woollen mill. In 1911 he was living in Mixenden and was a Blanket Finisher. The next year on 27 May he married Ruth Nattrass. Living at 6 Peel House Gate he signed up in Halifax on 17 November 1916. He was only 5ft 3 ½ tall with a 36 inch chest. After training in Wallsend he was sent to France on 21 August 1917 with the 2/6th Battalion Prince of Wales (North Staffs) Regiment. He was gassed at the Battle of Cambrai and died two days later. The 2/6th Battalion War Diaries say the following: “Heudicourt / Cambrai Front –November – (27 th ) The Battalion holds itself in readiness to move forward at an hour’s notice. The Battalion moves by march to trenches by Flesquires relieving the 3 rd Coldstream Guards. (28 th ) The Battalion takes over the front line system in Bourlon Wood relieving the Welsh Guards. (29 th ) Our position heavily shelled by the enemy – casualties 1 & 9: 13 and 29. (30 th ) The Battalion again heavily shelled especially D company whose casualties were very heavy. Casualties 2 & 10, 39 & 257 In this bombardment the enemy used shrapnel and mustard gas shells and despite heavy casualties the Battalion still holds the line” His effects were sent to his widow, Ruth, and consisted of “letters, photos, pipe, metal watch (broken), arm badge, purse, wallet”. She was awarded a pension of 13/9 a week which would be worth £43.73 in 2017 money. She put the following notice in the Courier on 2 March 1918.

He is on the Luddenden Working Men’s Club Roll of Honour and in the illuminated Town Hall Books of Remembrance.