Pte 300216 George Edgar Critchley

• Age: 28
• From: Prescot, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 21st March 1918
• Commemorated at: Pozieres Memorial
  Panel Ref: P21-23

George Edgar Critchley was born in January 1883 at Prescot, the son of James and Frances Critchley. 

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Charles Street, Windle, Prescot, Lancashire.  His father, James, is aged 42, born in Rainhill in 1849 and is a foreman, mechanical engineer, his mother, Frances is aged 40, born 1851 in Huddersfield and has no occupation listed. They have eight children at the time of the Census who were all recorded as being born in St Helens; Gertrude Mary aged 16, born 1875, Mabel Esther aged 14, born 1876 who have no occupation listed, Ethel Marion aged 12, born 1879, George Edgar aged 8, born 1883 and Frances Elsie aged 6, born 1885 are all scholars, Lilian Dorothy aged 4, born 1887, Kate aged 2, born 1889 and Patricia Violet born 1891. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Gamble Institute, Hardshaw Street, St Helens. George's father, James, is aged 52, is a mechanical engineer and his wife Frances is aged 50 and has no occupation listed. They have five children living with them in the household at the time; Gertrude Mary aged 26, is a dressmaker, Ethel Marion aged 22 has no occupation. George Edgar aged 18, is a gas fitter, Frances Elsie aged 16, is a stationers apprentice and Lilian Dorothy is now aged 14. 

The 1911 Census shows George living as a boarder at 8 Byron Street Chorley. He is living with Elizabeth Ann Norris, a widow, aged 51, born 1860 at Chorley and the Seddon siblings Janet aged 38,born 1873 with no occupation listed, Peter aged 36, born 1875 and employed as a weaver, Andrew aged 33, born 1878 is a labourer and George Edgar is aged 28 employed as a gas fitter.

He married Isabella Ball at St John's Church, Blackpool in March 1915.

He enlisted in Prescot, and served originally as Private 1021 in the Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry. Following a transfer he was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 300216 when he was killed in action on the 21st March 1918, aged 28.

The battalion Dairy gives details of the events of the day which marked the opening of Operation Michael, the German Spring Offensive.

At 04.50am the order “MAN BATTLE STATIONS” was received. Companies and transport at once fell in on alarm posts and the Battalion with Echelon “A” of transport marched to VAUX, via FORESTE and GERMAINE. The morning was very misty and the Battalion arrived at STEENWOOD,F.7.a without interference from aircraft or shellfire. The Battalion halted in F.7.a. Strength of Battalion Officers 19 O.R. 513.

Battalion H.Q. was established close to Battle HQ of 90^th Infy Brigade and billeting party was sent into VAUX. They reported on their return that the village was clear of troops and they then guided Companies to huts and standings lately occupied by the 17^th Bn. Manchester Regiment. About 11.30 am a message was received from the 90^th Infy Brigade to the effect that the enemy had penetrated the forward zone and that the Redoubt Barrage had been put down by the artillery between Manchester Hill and L’EPINE de DALLON, which positions were still holding out. 

It was decided to move out of VAUX about 11:45 am as the enemy had commenced to shell the village. Companies and transport reoccupied the positions that they had taken up in F.7.a and Battalion HQ moved to F.7.a.8.9. About 2pm it was reported that the enemy had penetrated the BATTLE ZONE about ROUPY and it was decided to dig in and defend the present position. A line of trenches was dug from STEEN WOOD with a defensive flank covering VAUX.

Hostile aeroplanes reconnoitred the position about 7pm. Flying low and firing on the troops. Shortly afterwards VAUX was heavily shelled and some posts of No.2 Coy on the left were withdrawn to the Sunken Road. Close touch was kept with with the situation in the BATTLE ZONE through the HQ of the 90^TH Infy Bde. throughout the night.

The enemy was reported to be in possession of SAVY but had not succeeded in penetrating the defences of ETREILLERES, held by the 2^nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers.

About 10pm all transport was sent back to BEAUVOIS, to orders of G.O.C. 89^TH Infy Brigade who gave further orders there for rearward moves. 

George was originally declared as Missing on 21st March 1918.

His wife, Isabella, wrote to the International Red Cross requesting information. A reply in the negative was sent on the 06th June 1918 to Mrs. I. Critchley, Rossal Farm, High Field Road, South Shore, Blackpool. 

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

The POZIERES MEMORIAL relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

The cemetery and memorial were designed by W.H. Cowlishaw, with sculpture by Laurence A. Turner. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien on 4 August 1930.

Soldiers Effects to his widow Isabella

George is commemorated on the following Memorials:

St Helens Higher Elementary Schooland Higher Grade School, St Helens

St Luke's Church, St Helens
 
Pilkington's Roll of Honour, St Helens 

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