Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Croft was born June 1893 in Dawdon, Seaham Harbour, one of 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls, born to John Croft (1866 Pendlebury Lancashire) and Hannah Blackett ( 1871 Glamorganshire, Wales). John Croft was a coal hewer and died prior to his son’s death, James’s mother remarried a Mr. H. Smith and also preceded her son and died in about 1916.
James left his employment at Windlestone Colliery to enlist in Ferryhill September 8th 1914 and declared having been refused in the past due to bronchial problems. On this occasion he was accepted and joined the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry attached to the 68th Brigade, 28th Division as Private 18010. He was trained in England until being posted to France January 25th 1915 joining the Battalion which was undergoing a rest period near Bruay. On March 3rd 1916 they returned to the front but not long afterwards James was hospitalised suffering from scabies which caused other serious health problems putting him out of action until September 1916, when after a period at Etaples Hospital, he rejoined his Battalion in the field. Shortly after, in the October, James was promoted to Lance Corporal (unpaid) which was confirmed and added to his pay November 16th 1916. At the beginning of May 1917 the Battalion was near Zillebeke, on the outskirts of Ypres in Belgium and May 1st was relieved by the 9th Cheshire Regiment and entrained bound for Steenvorde where they stayed and alternated with various regiments in the front line trenches taking over part of the area of Hill 60, May 11th 1916. Enemy bombardment was very active and they were assigned to dig new trenches. By May 19th they were again resting in Montreal Camp where they came under enemy bombardment. Between the 20th - 26th May the Battalion supplied working parties daily to the Royal Engineers. About 400 men perished, James was amongst them, he died of wounds May 26th 1917. Acting Corporal 18010 James Croft , 12 Battalion D. L. I. is interred at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, to the west of Ypres, Belgium, grave VII B 4. James was 23 years old.
After James’s death his step father received documents to be filled in for the return of his personal effects and an application for his back wages and a pension. He returned these along with a letter stating he did not have the relevant information required and asked that they contact James’s direct family at 2 Alice Street, Wheatley Hill. In time his personal property was sent to his sister, Hannah, there were letters, photos, a purse and a cotton bag. His awards, the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal were sent to his brother Joseph. His sister Hannah and brothers William, Joseph and John received his back pay and pension.
James’s eldest brother William Croft also enlisted as Private 2270, 7th Battalion Territorial Force, Durham Light Infantry, August 6th 1914. He was discharged September 17th 1914 under Para. 156 XI Territorial Force Regulations as, “medically unfit for further military service”.
James’s elder brother, John Croft, enlisted in Bishop Auckland as Private 15309 16th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, August 28th 1914. He was discharged, February 19th 1915 under Para. 392 (iii), King’s Regulations, “not likely to become a effective soldier”.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Croft is remembered at Chilton on C107.01, C107.04 and C107.12
