Number: 42518
Unit: 6th Coy. M.G.C.
Rank: Pte.
Commemorated: Arras Memorial, price France
PERSONAL DETAILS
The only son of Mr. James & Mrs. Janet Croft, Green Lane, Woodhall Spa, Hugh was reported as missing in action on the 21st March 1918. Prior to the war, he was employed in the grocery trade with Messrs. Wright of Tattershall. He was 24 years of age when he died.
SERVICE DETAILS
Hugh enlisted in March 1916, originally with the Durham Light Infantry, being sent to France in July that year. It is most probable Hugh found himself in the 20th battalion of the Durham’s by chance. This battalion formed part of the 41st Division raised in September 1915; the majority of the battalions within the division being formed in response to Lord Kitchener’s 1915 appeal for recruits to join his new army. One further battalion within the division was the 21st battalion, The Kings Royal Rifle Corps. This was made up from farmers and included one company from Lincolnshire.
Hugh was probably posted to this battalion only to find it was over strength and, thus, was posted to the Durham Light Infantry. Hugh then transferred, again, to the Machine Gun Corps with the regimental number 142012, but the exact date when this occurred is unknown. It is difficult therefore to establish Hugh’s exact movements whilst at the front
