World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
William Crisp
Forename(s):
William
Surname:
Crisp
Initial(s):
W
Service Number:
23776
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), 2nd Battalion
Died:
12/10/1916
Aged:
22
Buried:
Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval
Service History:
Enlisted at Morpeth, Northumberland in January 1916.
Formerly 29040, Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/8th Battalion Territorial Force.
Crisp left England on 12 September 1916 to join his regiment & was immediately posted to the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) 2nd Battalion, joining them on 19 September on the Somme battlefields.
On 1 October the Battle of Transloy Ridge began during appalling weather & with dreadful battlefield conditions. Despite a heavy British bombardment on German positions, when the British attack was finally launched stiff resistance was encountered, little progress was made & heavy casualties were sustained. Fighting continued until 3 October, then there was a pause until 7 October because the weather was so bad. Another major assault was attempted on 12 October which resulted in a few gains but, again, at a heavy cost.
Crisp was posted 'Missing, death presumed'.
(Source: 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 47)
Background:
Born in 1894, near Alnwick, Northumberland, the eldest of six children of the late William Crisp (d. 1910; Uncle of Robert Crisp, KIA 18 October 1917), by his second wife, Isabella Crisp (née Scott).
At the beginning of 1916, Isabella & her children were living at Eshott Farm where Clough was Head Cowman.
Cousin of Private Robert John Crisp (Regimental service #24457; Northumberland Fusiliers 23rd [Service] Battalion [4th Tyneside Scottish]; Died 18 October 1917).
(Source: 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 48)
Local Memorial:
Acklington, Parish Church of St. John the Divine Church
Felton War Memorial incorporating Acton, Eshott, Swarland & Thirston
Warkworth War Memorial (by St Lawrence's Church)