Pte 37379 John Cropper

• Age: 27
• From: Hesketh Bank
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 13th December 1916
• Commemorated at: Arras Memorial
  Panel Ref: Bay 3

John was born in Hesketh Bank in 1889 and was the son of Richard Cropper and his wife Martha (nee Miller). His parents married

on the 12th February 1890 at All Saints Church, Hesketh. Richard was a 22 year old labourer of Hesketh, father John a blacksmith, whilst Martha was aged 18 of Hesketh, no father supplied but witnessed by Thomas Miller. 

The 1891 Census finds John aged 1 living with his parents and one sibling at Southport Road, Hesketh.

His father is a 23 year old brick maker born in Churchtown, whilst his mother is 19 years of age and born in Hesketh Bank. His sister Ellen is new born.
 
The 1901 Census shows John is aged 11 living at 112 Shore Side, Hesketh.

His father, Richard, is a 33 year old railway platelayer, whilst his mother Martha is aged 29. His younger siblings are listed as sisters:  Ellen aged 10, and Margaret aged 5. 

The 1911 Census shows John is still living at the family home at Shore Side, Hesketh Bank.

His father, Richard is a widower aged 43, and a platelayer (His wife Martha had died in 1910). John is aged 21 and an apprentice joiner and has seven of his siblings living at the address;  Ellen aged 20, born 1891 occupation domestic assistant housekeeper, Margaret aged 15, born 1896 domestic servant, Richard aged 9, born 1902 and Thomas aged 6, born 1905 are at school, Alice Ann aged 4, born 1907 and James aged 2, were all born in Hesketh Bank.

He married 26 year old, Lytham born Annie Wilkin in 1915 at All Saints, Hesketh with Becconsall, and a daughter Hilda was born on the 1st July 1916, registered in Fylde. 

John enlisted in Preston and was serving with the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 37379 when he was killed in action on 13th December 1916 aged 27.

John's body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as his name is on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

Lytham Times - Friday 14 December 1917 

IN MEMORIAM of the late JOHN CROPPER, King's Liverpool Regt., who was killed in France, December 13, 1916. 

All alone in my sorrow, and bitter tears flow,  

There stealeth a dream of the sweet long ago,  

And unknown to the world he stands by my side,  

And whispers these words, “Death cannot divide.” 

From his Sorrowing WIFE & CHILD. 

Lytham Times - Friday 16 May 1919 

The Fallen. 

....., Pte. John Cropper, ..... 

Lytham Times - Friday 12 December 1919 

IN MEMORIAM of my dear husband, late PRIVATE JOHN CROPPER, King's Liverpool Regt., who was killed in France, December 13, 1916. 

Three years have passed since that sad day,  

When one we loved was called away.  

God called him home, it was Thy will,  

But in our hearts he liveth still.  

There is a link death cannot sever,  

Love and remembrance last for ever.  

From his sorrowing WIFE AND CHILD, Mrs. Cropper, 15, Albert Street, Lytham. 

He was married to Annie who at the time of the war lived at 20 Mornington Road, Lytham. Soldiers Effects, army pay of £2 18 4d, War Gratuity £3 to Annie, pension of 18/9 pw to Annie and their child Hilda, 19 Wellington St, Lytham. 

John is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hesketh Bank War Memorial 

All Saints Church in Hesketh Bank.

Lytham Cenotaph https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/name/430266

On the 1921 Census at 42 Trent St, Lytham, Annie, aged 32, born Lytham and a laundry worker, is with 4 year old Hilda.  

We currently have no further information on John Cropper, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.