Lives of the First World War

Reginald Morecroft Lance corporal 15401, 8th Battalion, Prince Albert Somerset Light Infantry. Formally private 20622, The Hussars Born in Armitage in late 1896, Reginald Morecroft was the youngest of three children of Henry and Mary Ann Morecroft who lived at Irvine house, New Road Armitage. Henry Morecroft was a slip maker at the local pottery works. Next door was another Morecroft household where the head was Samuel Morecroft. Samuel was the local postmaster and bicycle manufacturer. According to the 1911 census Henry was a general labourer, while his wife Mary was a shopkeeper selling tobacco. Reginald's elder brother Harry had found work as a pottery warehouse man and his sister May was a domestic nurse. Reginald himself was a GPO Telegraph boy who would have been well known in the village taking telegrams on foot or by bicycle - possibly supplied by his uncle Samuel. He was 14 years old It would seem that, as soon as he was able, on 2 September 1914 Reginald went across to Lichfield where he volunteered for the army. His GPO duties would have ensured that he was a fit young man and he was immediately accepted. He completed his training in Colchester and was first posted to the Hussars, a cavalry regiment. However, this was at war where cavalry was unlikely to be needed, and he was transferred to the Somerset light infantry. Reginald was sent to France on 8 September 1915 and managed to survive for some three years. Then his division found itself facing the massive German spring offensive in 1918. It was Germany’s last throw of the dice and the line was eventually held by the Allies on 5 April. That was the same day Reginald Morecroft was killed in action. He was entitled to the Victory and British war medals and the 1915 star. His body has known grave, but his name appears on the Arras Memorial in the Pas de Calais together with some 35,000 of his comrades.

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