Frederick Joseph's Story.
Private F. J. Crawley.
Private Frederick Joseph Crawley, off the Cheshire regiment, has been killed in action. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Crawley, of 250 Walthall Street, Crewe. He enlisted on the 7th of August 1914, about three days after the war broke out, and went to the front in the following December. He was 22 years of age and before enlistment worked in the electrical department of the London and North Western Railway.
Comrades Letter. Private T. Forley, a comrade wrote to Mr Crawley on September 30th as follows.
“It is with great regret I write to inform you of the death of your son, Fred Crawley. He got killed whilst going up to the firing line on the 25th September his death was instantaneous so the poor lad suffered no pain. He was a very good soldier, and he did his duty to the last minute. I can assure you that all his comrades feel his loss very much, as he was always cheerful. He died for a good cause and I am sure that the Lord will help you in your sad bereavement. All the lads in the machine gun section join me in extending to you the upmost sympathy and we hope it will comfort you a little in your great loss.”
Nantwich Guardian October 27, 1916.