Ernest Croucher (1877-1970)

Dates

Birth: 17 January 1877 Keepers/Pond Cottage, Churt, Surrey, UK.
Father: John Croucher (Crowcher) 1834-1905
Mother: Elizabeth (Elisabeth) Baker 1834-1909

Christening: 11 March 1877 St John the Evangelist, Churt, Surrey, UK

Marriage: 14 October 1909 Johannesburg, South Africa
Wife: Florence May Howell 1888-1985

Death: 20 June 1970 Sherborne, Dorset, UK

Children

Kathleen Maud (Maude) Croucher [Cordier] 1912-1992
Frank Reginald Croucher 1916-1978
Irene May Croucher [Kimber] 1920-2011

Notes

Birth of Ernest Croucher in FreeBMD in January-March 1877 in Farnham (2A 127).

Entry in Ancestry Surrey, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1921 for Ernest Crouchet (sic) on 11 March 1877 at St John the Evangelist, Churt, parents of John and Elizabeth (sic) Crouchet (sic). "Page 21 Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Churt in the County of Surrey in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Six [...] 1877 March 11 No. 167 Ernest [parents] John [a] labo Carrier [crossed out] Labourer & Elisabeth Croucher [of] Churt".

In the 1881 Census as Ernest Croucher aged 4, born in Churt, and living with his parents (John and Elizabeth), brother (Charles) and sister (Emily) at Keepers Cottage, Churt, Frensham, Surrey (this would have to be the same as Keepers Cottage, Pond End and Pond Cottage for my fathers records to be correct - this is probably correct as it is the first Churt entry in the census, and this house is on the edge of Churt).

In the 1891 census as Ernest Croucher aged 14, born in Churt, and living with his parents (John and Elizabeth), brother (James) and sister (Carrie) at an unspecified address between Swiss Cottage and Rooks Cottage, Churt, Frensham, Surrey.

Not in the 1901 census as he was serving in India, having enlisted in the 4th Hussars in 1894, a year before Winston Churchchill was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (Cornet) on 20 February 1895, and with whom he went to India.

In the 1911 census as Ernest Croucher aged 34, born in Frensham, Surrey, married, squad ' serg' major in the 4th Hussars and living at The Royal Artillery Barracks And The Cavalry Barracks, Butt Road, Colchester.

Entry in Ancestry British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920

The cover of his Service Documents D/60685 Croucher E 3606 RSM Hussars states:
Born February 1876
Enlisted 23 January 1894
Discharged 22 January 1916
Died 20 June 1970.

Short Service Attestation dated 25 January 1894 at Aldershot
(this was for 7 years with the colors and 5 years in the reserves or if completed while beyond the seas 8 years with the colors and 4 years in the reserves)
Number : 3606
Name: Ernest Croucher
Corps: Hussars of the Line
Born in: Frensham, Farnham, Surrey
Age: 18
Trade: Groom

Description of Ernest Croucher on Enlistment
Age: 18 years
Height: 5 ft 7.5 inches
Weight: 132 lbs
Chest: 33.5-35 inches
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Religion: CofE
No distinctive marks
Under chest measurement, very slight halt in walking, fit for the army on 19 January 1894 and fit to join Corps of Hussars of the Line on 23 January 1894

His medical record is partially illegible and damaged but repeats the above description adding he was re-vaccinated on 14 August 1894 in the left arm with perfect result and he was fit on 7 August 1905.
He was in Aldershot from 23 January 1894 and in hospital for 20 days from 20 February to 11 March 1895, and 13 days from 22 April to 4 May 1895 with boils treated with a poultice
He was in Hounslow from 9 September 1895 with no admission
He was in Bombay from 2 October 1896 with no admission
He was in Bangalow from 9 October 1896 with no admission
He was in Secunderabad from 8 October 1899 and was re-vacinnated on 9 April 1900 in his left arm with a failed result, examined for field service and found fit on 6 April 1901, had 19 days in hospital from 4 August to 22 August 1901, and on 14 October 1901 when found fit
He was in Bangalore from 14 August 1902 with no admission
He was in Secunderabad from 19 November 1902 and in hospital for 19 days from 30 November to 9 December 1902 with ague (malaria?) due to climate and given quinine
He was in ? from 25 September and in hospital for 8 days with ague from 2 to 9 November 1904, parasites in the blood were found and he was given quinine
He was in Colchester Hospital for 9 days from 20 ? 1911 with colic, and constipation.

The legible entries from the service record of 3606 Ernest Croucher are:

19 January 1894 Aldershot
23 January 1894 posted private Hussars
1 October 1898 promoted corporal
15 October 1901 permitted to extend service to complete 12 years with the colours
30 November 1901 promoted sergeant
7 August 1905 permitted to re-engage to complete 21 years with the colours
30 January 1907 promoted SGMS
15 April 1907 promoted SSM
1 November 1912 posted to permanent staff Pembroke Yeomanry
29 January 1915 promoted Warrant Officer Class II
14 September 1915 appointed A/RSM
Total years service 22


His Military History Sheet states:

Home (i.e. UK) 23 January 1894 to 9 September 1896
India 10 September 1896 to 23 February 1903
Home 24 February 1903 to 21 September 1903
East India 22 September 1903 to 3 November 1905
South Africa 4 November 1905 to 20 December 1909
Home 21 December 1909 to 22 January 1916
Total 22 years.
He did not serve with the Expeditionary Force
His education was 3rd class on 13 January 1897
Qualified for rank of Sergeant 11 June 1902
Musketry ? (distinquished) 1905
Long Service ? medal 1912
Next of kin:
Father: John Croucher Frensham Pond, Frensham (deceased)
Mother: Elizabeth Croucher Frensham Pond, Frensham (deceased)
Brother: Jas Croucher Frensham Pond, Frensham
Brother Chas Croucher, Cabers, Manor Road, Bournemouth and 80 Farmer Road, Leyton, Essex
Wife: Cranfield, Lampeter, Wales
Married: Florence May Howell on 14 October 1909 in Johanesburg witnessed by John and Dora Baker
Daughter: Kathleen Maud born 21 January 1912 baptised 3 March 1912 in Currag


There is an entry in the Regimental Conduct Sheet dated 7 April 1897 for 3606 E Croucher 4th Hussars at Bausaland? for highly irregular conduct for which he was severley reprimanded on 8 April 1897, but a note added in 1908 states that this does not count as a reprimand (para 1922 KR).

Descriptive Return to extend his period of service to 12 years dated 15 October 1901 at Secunderbad

3606 Corporal Ernest Croucher having served 4 years 10 months with a very good character and two good conduct medals promoted on 1 October 1898 and term expires on 22 January 1902.
Form of Agreement dated 15 October 1901 at Secunderbad
No 3606 Ernest Croucher of 4th Queens Own Hussars being under agreement to serve for 7 years agrees to extend it to 12 years, on consideration of which he received 150 Rupees with furlough [leave] for not less than 2 months in England.
Re-engagement Paper
I 3606 Sergeant Ernest Croucher at present serving in the 4th Hussars enlisted on 23 January 1894 for seven and five years desire to re-engage for the Hussars of the Line for a total continuous period of 21 years[...] and for a further term of one year [...] if a state of war exists between his Majesty and any foreign power [...] dated 7 August 1905.
National Insurance Act 1911
On the 11 August 1912 E Croucher 3606 of 4th Hussars elected to discontinue the deduction of 1.5d National Insurance Contribution from his pay.

On 14 September 1915 3606 Ernest Croucher of 2 Pembroke Yeomany was promoted to A/RSM.

Proceedings on Discharge for Ernest Croucher 3606 RSM 2/1 Pembroke Yeomanry and 4th Hussars Permanent Staff:
Date: 22 January 1916
Place: Rundlesham Park near Woodbridge
Age: 40
Height: 5 ft 9 inches
Chest: 41.5, range 2.5 inches
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Trade: Groom
No descriptive marks
Did not serve with the Expeditionary Force
Reason: The termination of his second period of engagement para 392 (xx1) KR
Intended Place of Residence: Drill Hall, Lampeter, S Wales
Military Character: Exemplary. RSM Croucher is in my opinion honest and thoroughly trustworthy and an excellent Regimental Sargeant Major
GC Badge: WO Class II
Clasification for service pay: Class 1 at 7d
Decorations: GC and LS Medal
Education: 2nd Class
Service: 22 Years

Memo dated 9 February 1916
I certify that No. 3606 A/RSM Croucher E was in receipt of pay as Regimental Sergeant Major from 14 Sept 1915 to the 22 January 1916.
Memo dated 16 February 1916
From Adj 2/1 Pembroke Yeomanry to RSM Croucher Drill Hall, Lampeter
I have received a memo from the Officer i/c Cavalry Records, York asking for the number which is in red ink on AF B2067 which has been forwarded to you. Would you please forward direct.
Memo dated 18 February 1916
From RSM Croucher, Drill Hall, Lampeter to Officer i/c Cavalry Records, York
Re the attached memo the serial number of AF B2067 is No 26

Memo dated 19 February 1916
From O i/c Car. Records (Hussars) York to The Secretary Royal Hospital Chelsea SW
Will you please insert this number on AF B268 of No 3606 Astg Reg Serg Major E Croucher Perm Staff 2/1 Pembroke Yeomanry discharge 22 Jan 1916. His discharge documents were forwarded to you on 15 Feb 1916.

His daughter was born in Carragh, Kildare, Ireland in 1912.

His son was born on 22 November 1916, registered in in October-December 1916 in Lampeter, and baptised on 31 December 1916 when he was a lieutenant in the Pembroke Yeomany and living at The Drill Hall, Bryn Road.

His daughter was born on 9 June 1920, registered in July-September in Lambeth ( I belive this to be an error, and that it was in Lampeter), and baptised on 29 August 1920 at St Peter, Lampeter when he was in H.M. Forces living in Drill Hall, Lampeter.

In the 1921 census as Ernest Croucher aged 44 years 5 months, born in Frensham, Surrey, three children under 16 aged 1,4 and 9, a hotel proprietor and employer working at home, and living with his wife (Florence May), son (Frank Reginald), two daughters (Irene May and Kathleen Maude), a visitor (Emrys Thomas aged 21 years 10 months, born in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, single, and a shipping chartering clerk employed by Sir W R Smith & Sons, Hotel Proprietors (sic - in the index, shipowners on the original) of Merthyr House, Cardiff) and two servants (Mary Davies aged 40 years 5 months, born in Carmarthenshire, Wales, single and a cook, and Llewellyn Gwyn Thomas aged 18 years 2 months, born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, single and a stableman & general labourer) in seventeen rooms at the De Rutzen Hotel, Narberth, Pembrokeshire.

The family moved to the Lower Bourne, Farnham where he ran the Cricketers public house (now demolished).

There are over fifteen entries in Ancestry All Surrey, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1962 for Ernest Croucher address The Cricketers, Lower Bourne, Bourne, Farnham from 1924 to 1939, other occupants Florence May Croucher (wife?) to 1931, Florence Maud (sic) Croucher (wife?) from 1933 and Kathleen Maud Croucher (daughter?) from 1933.

In the 1939 England and Wales Register as Ernest Croucher born 17 January 1911, married, a licenced vitualler, and living with Florence M Croucher (wife?), Frank R Croucher (son?), Irene May Croucher (daughter?) and one other (not Kathleen) at The Cricketers, Lower Bourne, Farnham, Surrey.

There are over fifteen entries in Ancestry All Surrey, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1962 for Ernest Croucher address The Cricketers, Lower Bourne, Bourne, Farnham from 1945 to 1949, other occupant Florence M Croucher (wife?), and 64 Firgrove Hill, Bourne, Farnham from 1953 to 1962, other occupants Florence M Croucher (wife?), Alice M Packham from 1951 to 1952, Glyndwr H Owen-Ellis in 1952, and Edward H Rice from 1955.

There are some 30 entries in Ancestry British Phone Books, 1880-1984 for E Croucher Address The Cricketers Inn, Lower Bourne number Farnham 805 in 1934 to 1937, changing to 5805 in 1941 to 1950, Belmont 64 Firgrove Hill Farnham 5805 from 1951 to 1964.

Entry in Farnham Herald 1969:

Croucher. Mr and Mrs E Croucher, late of the Cricketers Inn, Lower Bourne and Belmont, Firgrove Hill, Farnham, celebrate their Diamond Wedding on Tuesday, October 14th, 1969. Now residing at Flat 83, Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset.

Entry in the Register of Deaths for Ernest Croucher born 17 January 1877 in Sturminster (7C 390) in April-June 1970.

There are fourty one entries in Ancestry Family Trees for Ernest Croucher.

Entry in British Listed Buildings for "The Rutzen Arms P.H. is a A Grade II Listed Building in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, dated 1833, built for Baron de Rutzen; ceased to be a hotel circa 1940 and has since been used as a warehouse" (dated 17 May 1988).

Relationship

Ernest Croucher was my granduncle.

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