Medal Index Card
Lichfield Mercury Friday 11/03/1911
Darlington and Stockton Times Saturday 18/03/1911
Joseph Elliott Crowe was born in October 1892, the eldest of 4 boys to George Crowe, [born 1st March 1860, Kelloe, died 9th March 1911], and his wife Jane Ann, [nee Bulman], born 1866 at Wolsingham, died on the 3rd March 1933, 2nd daughter of George Lindsay Bulman and Isabella Bulman, at Low West House Farm, East Hedleyhope, near Tow Law. They were married in October 1891.
The other three brothers were William Crowe, born 12th May 1894, died 8th December 1961, [married a Mary Davies, born 31st October 1896, died 1965], in 1916, they had four children, George Crowe, born 15th July 1915, died 1987, Olive Crowe, born 20th September 1916, died 1994, Anne Crowe, born 5th May 1926 died 1957 and one other not known. In 1939 they were residing at 1 Brown Houses, Tow Law Durham.
Thomas Goodburn Crowe, born 10th December 1896, died October 1956, married an Elizabeth [nee Davis], born 4th July 1902. 2 children, Ethel born 23rd June 1924 who married a Brewer and one other not known, in 1939, they were residing at 2 Dyke Nook Cottage, Lanchester, Durham, and George Crowe, born 1897 at Hedleyhope, died on the 29th September 1917, he was serving in the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, service number 40454 when he was killed. He was formerly in the Alexandra, Princes of Wales' Own, 11th Yorkshire Hussars Reserve Cavalry Regiment, service number 31413. George had enlisted at Crook.
George Crowe Senior was killed in a tragic accident when George was helping to unload heavy furniture from a wagon, when he slipped and fell under a wheel which run over his chest killing him instantly.
Joseph Elliott Crowe was a ropeman above ground at the local Colliery. In 1901, Joseph was residing at 23 Bridge Street, Tow Law at his grandmothers residence, Jane Holroyd born 1836, also with his uncle Anthony Walton a retired farmer aged 81. In 1911, Joseph was now residing at 62 High Street, Tow Law with his Aunt, his father died in a tragic accident on the 9th March 1911.
Joseph Elliott Crowe attested about April 1915 and was initially posted into the Machine Gun Corps Infantry, service number 32245, but was transferred into 'D' Company Heavy Section at Bisley in May 1916. 'D' Company Headquarters was located at Bullhousen Farm, located north of the Siberian range at Bisley.
On Monday, 28th August 1916, the first 155 men from 'D' Company HQ and 1st and 2nd Sections departed from Elveden at 6 00am and travelled by rail from Thetford to London, marched then to Waterloo Station then by train to Southampton on-board the SS Caesarea ship number 131763, arriving at Le Havre that evening.
On the 2nd September Joseph Elliott Crowe left Thetford by train and eventually arriving at Le Havre. on the 3rd of September. Joseph arrived at Contreville on the 6th September, They were here till the 10th September. On the 8th [Prime Minister] Anthony Asquith visited the unit. 'D' Company arrived at the Somme in two parties on the 9th and 10th September. 'D' Company were inspected by the Prince of Wales on the 10th September where he banged his head and turned the air blue. The tanks arrived after a 24 hour journey at the Loop railhead north of Bray-sur-Somme. After being offloaded the tanks were driven off to Happy Valley south of Fricourt with 'C' Company.
'D9' Dolly and 'D14' were located just north of Delville Wood on the 15th September, both tanks set off for Flers, 'D9' following 'D14', unfortunately 'D14' drove over a shelter in the British front line, which collapsed and the tank became stuck, 'D9' tried to help but itself also was stuck. Both tanks were eventually free by the afternoon. In the early hours of the 16th September, 'D9' Dolly, female tank number 546 from number 2 Section, 'D' Company, 'D11' Die Hard, male tank 547 from number 2 section 'D' Company and 'D14' female tank number 534 from section 3, were all assigned to help the 41st Division to take Guedencourt. In he early hours of the 16th September 'D9' left its starting point north of Delville Wood and advanced north up the Flers road to meet the infantry 5.30am. With 'D9' in the centre, 'D11' on the left and 'D14' on the right. As the three tanks advanced 'D9' cleared the Cox and Bow trenches before heading for the Gird Trench which protected the village of Gueudencourt. 'D14' advanced about 1100 yards before it was forced to be stopped at Gird Trench, which was a pre-registered target by German Artillery. Sergeant Robert Baden Pebody and the driver Lance Corporal Laurence William Upton ASC [Army Supply Corps], both got out of the tank to assess how to cross the obstacle. The tank was then hit by artillery fire and exploded killing everyone inside including Joseph Elliott Crowe and mortally wounding Pebody and Upton.
Those inside the tank, the bodies were never recovered.
A tank (D14) overtook the KOYLI and went on to Gueudecourt, but was hit by a shell and wrecked.
Joseph Crowe was originally posted as missing and it was not until January 1917 that he was presumed dead.
Joseph Elliott Crowe is remembered at Tow Law on T57.01, T57.02, T57.03, T57.05 and Satley on S116.01
His rank was a Gunner not a private.