2017 Battlefield Tour Page 04

In Dozinghem Cemetery at Westvlereten while locating Major C.H. Sheperd-Cross, we came across another D.L.O.Y. Headstone, a Pte George Croston. At the time of the visit we did not know it was there. It does seem that at the time of his death he may well have been serving with the Manchester Regiment. Hopefully, Spanners could dig out future information. RIP Pte George Croston.

See note opposite...

Since posting above, Spanners followed with research On Pte George Croston.

George was the son of George and Susan Croston and lived at 14 Lee Rd, Harpurhey, Manchester. He was a member of 'C' Sqn DLOY. In the summer of 1915, they were at Aldershot as Divisional Cavalry for 23rd Div. On 28 Aug 1915 they sailed from Southampton to Le Havre then moved up to St. Omer and then the Armienteres area in northern France. In early 1917 George was issued the new service number of 245635. Shortly after the DLOY was dismounted and its members sent off to be trained as infantry. On 24 Sept 1917, a draft of 7 officers and 125 other ranks from the DLOY joined the 12th Bn Manchester Regt who had suffered a great number of casualties at the Battle of Ypres. George was amongst them. The Bn became known as the 12th (DLOY) Bn Manchester Regt. At the time of George's death, his Bn was in Divisional reserve behind the lines. Two days previously they were in Brigade reserve and detailed to dig a communication trench. On completion of the work and on the way back to camp a shell struck one of the limbers, killing the driver, wounding 1 OR and two horses. It is likely that this was when George was wounded. He died of his wounds in Dozinghem Casualty Clearing Station on 26th Oct 1917. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Grave No. XI.D.9...RIP

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