Birth: 24 May 1916 Farnham, Surrey, UK
Father: William James Croucher 1877-1915
Mother: Elizabeth Lucy Pullinger 1871-1949
Marriage: Believed not married
Death: 25 July 1943 Agira, Enna, Scily, Italy
Memorial: Panel 7, Cassino Memorial, Cassino, Frosinone, Lazio, Italy.
None known
His father died in October-December 1915 in Farnham.
Birth of William J Croucher, mother's maiden name Pullinger, in FreeBMD in April-June 1916 in Farnham (2A 270).
In the 1921 census as William James Croucher born in Hampshire in 1916, father dead, and living with his widowed mother (Lucy), and three brothers (Gordon William, Nelson Victoria and Norman Edgar ) in four rooms at 1 Jubuule (sic - in the index, Jubilee on the original) Cottages, Weybourne on previous and next entries but not this one, Farnham, Surrey.
Three entries in Ancestry All Surrey, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1962 for William James Croucher address 14 Coppice Cottages, Weybourne Lane, Hale and Badshot, Farnham from 1937 to 1939, other occupant Elizabeth Lucy Croucher (mother?).
In the 1939 England and Wales Register as William J Croucher born 24 May 1916, single, a railway carriage cleaner, and living with Elizabeth Z (sic - in the index, L on the original) Croucher (mother?) at 14 Coppice Cottages, Weybourne Lane, Farnham, Surrey.
Entry in Commonwealth War Graves Commission for Private William James Croucher, mother E L Croucher, 5504989 Hampshire Regiment 1st Bn. died 25 July 1943 aged 27, Panel 9 Cassino Memorial, Cassino, Frosinone, Italy (139 kilometres south-east of Rome.). Those on the memorial have no known grave. Note that the land invasion of Italy did not start until 3 September 1943. I assume that he died in Sicily but his body was not found so he is on the Cassino Memorial.
Entry in Find a Grave for Pvt William James Croucher Private, Hampshire Regiment, died 25 July 1943 aged 27 on Panel 7, Cassino Memorial, Cassino, Provincia di Frosinone, Lazio, Italy.
The following is rextracted from The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum The 1st Hampshire landed at Alexandria in Egypt on 3rd April 1943 after two years’ service in the siege of Malta. The Battalion (along with the 2nd Devons, and the 1st Dorsets) formed part of 231st Brigade which had defended Malta. After a period of training near Cairo the Hampshire moved on 5th May to Kabrit on the Suez Canal for more comprehensive training in combined operations. Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, began on the night of 9th/10th July 1943. On the evening of 9th July, just hours before the landings, the weather deteriorated sharply and the men in the landing craft had to endure an unpleasant seven-mile trip through a heaving sea to the beaches. The 1st Hampshire quickly established a bridgehead near the village of Marsamemi on the Pachino Peninsula. The 231st Brigade pushed on and in nine days advanced 140 miles. After the Dittaino the first really serious opposition was encountered at Agira – a medieval town perched on top of a high hill in the shadow of Mount Etna – which was to be the scene of a grim and costly battle. Agira was held by Italians, strongly reinforced by Germans of the Hermann Goering Division and the 29th Panzer Grenadier Regiment. For the operation 231st Brigade was placed under the command of 1st Canadian Division. The attack plan called for the Brigade to harass the enemy from the south while the Canadians launched a full assault from the west. The attack began at midnight on 22th July 1943. The Devons and Dorsets led the Brigade assault and successfully achieved their objectives. However, they were left seriously exposed when the Canadian attack failed. On the night of 25th July the 1st Hampshire were sent forward, with orders to hold a hill called the Pyramid and another prominent feature called Campanelli, while the Canadians attacked again. Unfortunately, the Canadians were unsuccessful once more, leaving the Hampshire in exposed and extended positions which they were ordered to hold. Around 4pm the Germans attacked A and B Companies on the Campanelli. In the very fierce close fighting – against crack units of the Hermann Goering Division and SS Paratroopers – B Company suffered heavy casualties before being forced from the top of the hill. The 1st Hampshire continued to resist but, unable to call up artillery support and with their positions coming under fire from Agira, they finally abandoned the Campanelli and took up new positions at the Pyramids.
Two entries in Ancestry England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for William James Croucher died 25 July 1943 in Surrey (sic) probate 10 May 1944 in Winchester, Chester (sic). "Croucher William James of 14 Coppice-cottages Weybourne Farnham, Surrey died 25 July 1943 on war service Administration Winchester 10 May to Elizabeth Lucy Croucher widow. Effects £279 3s. 10d."
Entry in Ancestry UK, British Army World War II Medal Cards, 1939-1945 for Private William James Croucher No. 5504989 1st Hampshire Regt, born in 1916 , awarded 1939-45; Africa; Italy; War medals on 14 September 1948.
There are four entries in Ancestry Family Trees for William James Croucher.
William James Croucher was my seventh cousin.
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