Private 305702 Reginald Crome

Family details:
Son of Elizabeth Heazle, of Billinge Hospital, Orrell, Wigan. Native of Norwich.

Census details:
1901 - 4 years old Reginald is living at 5 Grapes Hill, Heigham with widowed mother Elizabeth Crome (27). They are staying at the home of Elizabeth's widowed mother Amelia Calver (57) and her two siblings: Leah Calver (5), Arthur Calver (10). 1911 - Sees 14 years old 'Errand Boy' Reginald living at 9 Grapes Hill, Norwich. He is staying at the home of grandmother Amelia Calver (58) and uncle Arthur Calver (20).

Notes:
[url=lmem.php?lmem=39]Remembered On The St. Aidan's C of E Church Memorial[/url]

Reginald was born in St. Giles, Norwich, Norfolk, but enlisted at Wigan to join the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was wounded and came to Billinge Hospital, which was a military hospital in the First World War, and whilst recovering signed an autograph book as did his mother Elizabeth Heazle who was working and living at the hospital. The first entry shows a drawing of the R.A.M.C. badge with name Pte. R. Crome and the date 2-5-17, and the second entry is a little poem `Some Love` and signed E.Heazle Military Hospital, Billinge. Reginald was transferred to the Tank Corps and while serving in France was again wounded and died on Sunday the 22nd of September 1918. He was 21 years of age and is buried in the Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, grave 1.D.25. His name is recorded on both St. Aidan`s C.E. Church and St. Luke`s C.E. Church, Orrell Memorials. Sources:- Widow`s daughter; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission. [url=http://sthelens-connect.net/sitefiles/billinge-history.pdf]Information Courtesy of The Billinge History Society[/url] [pic]imgs/WW1_headstones/CromeR_Tanks.jpg[/pic][caption]The headstone of Private Reginald Chrome at Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension (Photograph Courtesy of Ste M.)[/caption]