Lives of the First World War

Official copy of Ralph Croft's Birth Certificate

Private 306484 Ralph Croft - 2/8th Kings Liverpool Regiment

Certificate of Disembodiment for Ralph Croft - giving date of enlistment and information that he also served in the Labour Corps

The photographer for this image was based in Herne Bay, Kent, which is near Canterbury and shows Ralph with his fellow recruits, most likely at Old Park Camp

The exact location of this photograph is unknown but is likely to be at one of the training / preparation camps Ralph was based at before he was posted abroad. Just a brilliant photograph and it’s easy to imagine the banter that must have taken place between these men as the photo was being taken!

Newspaper clipping from Blackpool newspaper reporting Ralph Croft had been injured (gassed)

28/07/1917 12 midnight – Heavy bombardment of Armentieres with gas shells lasting until 2.30am. 2/5th KLR suffered heavy casualties 29/07/1917 Shelling of Armentieres continues. Large fire in the vicinity of the Q.M.’s store causing stores to be removed to transport lines. Q.M.’s and all Q.M.’s staff out of action through gas. Transport Officer takes over duties.

Letter sent from Assistant Chief Nurse Mance Taylor (12th General Hospital Rouen) notifying Mrs Croft that her husband had been admitted that day, ‘suffering from shell gas’. The letter states, ‘He will receive every care and attention at our hands’.

Newspaper clipping from Blackpool newspaper giving details of Ralph Croft being gassed

The 12th General Hospital at Rouen was taken over from the British by the US military in June 1917, which explains the extract from a letter sent home by Private Croft quoted in the below newspaper clipping below, “The sisters looking after me are American nurses, they are very nice indeed and will do anything you ask them”. The letter also gives a stark description of the shelling of Armentieres leading upto his injury, “… I have thanked God since that I came out of that place alive. For about two and a half hours, it was absolutely Hell, shells of all descriptions and plenty of them too. Well never mind, I am still alive – you know, I am a bit bad to kill. But I thought my time had come right enough that time”.

Mance Taylor wrote letters to Ralph Croft's family keeping them informed of his condition in hospital.

Letter from Nurse Mance Taylor informing Mrs Croft of her husbands condition and that he should be leaving for England soon.

Further typed letter to home from Assistant Chief Nurse Mance Taylor in which she reports that Ralph has now left France for England,

Official army postcard sent home reporting Ralph having arrived at the 2nd Scottish General Hospital in Edinburgh.

At some stage, Ralph was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps (331 Protection Company) and issued with a new army number, becoming Private 82383 Croft. The reason for this transfer is not known, perhaps the duties of the Labour Corps were too taxing for a man still suffering from the effects of gassing?

Medal Index Cards tend to show only the units served overseas with and the unit on whose rolls the medals were issued. Since his service with the Labour Corps was in all probability, UK based this doesn’t show on the card.  His RDC service, whilst also in the UK, is shown though because it was the last unit with which he served and the medals were issued on their rolls.

My Grandad, Ralph Croft's grave in Layton Cemetery, Blackpool

Telegram to Ralph in 12th General Hospital Rouen from his wife Maggie stating "written twice Jack well sorry your eyes are bad cheer up Maggie"