Albert Croucher died from his wounds on this day in 1915
Albert Croucher was born in December 1889 in Hollingbourne, Kent. His father was William James Croucher (a gardener/domestic servant) and his mother was Mary Ann Sharp. At the 1891 Census, he was living at home, on Garlinge Greene, Petham. with his parents and young brother Albert (one).
A decade later in 1901, his father was now 'head gardener'. Albert was at home, Paxton Cottage, St. Mary’s Platt, Kent age 12, with Albert age 11 and 3 month old little sister Florence.
Age 22 in 1911 Albert had left home. He was a boarder at 38 Gardiner Street, Gillingham, Kent and working as a general labourer.
At some period he had seen army service as he was called up in August 1914 as a reservist for the East Kent Regiment. The 1st Battalion was deployed to the Western Front. On 10 September, they landed at Le Harvre and marched to the Bohan and the Aisne to reinforce the BEF.
Albert took part in the fighting at Mons, Malines, and the battles of the Alsace.
After losing two horses under him, he fell wounded on the Ainse in October, 1914, and was brought to the Connaught hospital, Aldershot where it was found necessary to amputate both legs.
His wounds were so severe, however, that he succumbed to them 8 January 1915, his father at his bedside. He was buried with full military honours in the churchyard at St Mary Platt, near Borough Green, Kent, under a military headstone.
8763 Pte Albert Edward Croucher, 1st Bn. East Kent Regiment