CROWSON, WILLIAM ARTHUR. Private. 25522. “D” Company 6th. Service Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.

Born in Bilsby, he enlisted at Bourne giving his place of residence as Irnham, Grantham. 

The 1901 census records William Arthur aged 15, a gamekeeper, the son of Emma and William Crowson, a farmer, of Aswardby Road, Bilsby.

He married Lucy Ethel Bales on February 24th. 1914, at Aslackby. 

William attested, aged 30, and was posted to the County reserve the following day, being mobilized on the June 14th, 1916 returning to the Lincoln Depot, then posted to the 3rd Lincolns on June 26th. returning to the depot on October 17th, before finally being posted to the 6th. Lincoln’s who were in France,

He arrived at Folkestone on October 18th. embarking the same day and disembarked at Boulogne the same day, he arrived in Calais on October 19th. After a period in reserve, he finally joined the Lincoln’s in the field on December 2nd.

However, he received a gunshot wound in the left side of his body arriving at the 33rd Field Dressing Station, before being transferred to the 9th Casualty Clearing Station on December 3rd. just a day after joining the battalion in the line, then to the 26th General Hospital at Etaples. On December 23rd, he went to the 5th Convalescence Camp, before returning to the 6th Bn. in the field on December 29th.

William Arthur Crowson died of wounds on July 16th 1917, aged 32, while the Battalion held the reserve positions in the St. Jean area in the Ypres Salient, he is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, West Flanders, Belgium. Plot 1, Row G, Grave 17.

Entitled to the British War and Victory Medals.

His personal effects consisting of a pocket diary, cards, letters and a soldier’s guide were forwarded to his widow Lucy, who was living at Irlham Hall. She also received a payment of £2-12-2d, a war gratuity of £4, and his pension of 13s 9d per week.

Remembered with honour on the Alford War Memorial in the grounds of St Wilfrid’s Church.

His brother Sidney Crowson also fell.