Pottsy123456 Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January (edited) Hello all, I am wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction of any further documentation for William Arnold Croly (B. 1883). I believe I may have have his medal record, but I cannot be sure. Oral family history says he served in the Second Boer War and the Great War. When the Second World War came around, he marched up to the local recruiting office with boot polish in his hair, but was turned away due to his age. He married in 1904 to Caroline and was living in Limehouse by 1911 and working in some kind of factory, manufacturing 'Tank Platers'. I understand a great deal of documentation was burned during the Second World War, so maybe that is why I have hit a wall. I would appreciate any help at all, thanks in advance for any replies. Edited 19 January by Pottsy123456 another image Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rayner Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January Welcome to the forum. Potentially if he served WW1 the birth certificates for three children may mention with whom he served.If you can find those details-or have them already 191431 Birth of daughter Helen Elizabeth Croly(1914–1989) 01.02.1914 (Sunday) • Limehouse, London, England 191633 Birth of son George James Croly(1916–1993) 20 05 1916 • Limehouse, London, England 191936 Birth of daughter Lilian Edith Croly(1919–1993) 4th October 1919 • Stepney, London George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1959 Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January (edited) The 1911 census gives his address as 43 Phoebe St, Limehouse E The 1918 electoral roll shows a William Croly living at 43 Phoebe St., Limehouse Division It shows his military details as Cpl (Corporal) W/R/325277 I, W & D., Royal Engineers Inland Waterways & Docks; Royal Engineers Edited 19 January by Mark1959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rayner Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January 1 hour ago, Mark1959 said: Cpl (Corporal) W/R/325277 I, W & D., Royal Engineers Anybody able to find the soldier or this number? George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1959 Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January (edited) Not yet. Looking at the medal roll for the London regiment chap I think we can exclude him. The Royal Irish Fusilier man and a Scottish Rifles William Croly were both killed. So looking like a UK only WW1 service unless we find some evidence to contrary. No obvious Boer War soldier that fits the bill either. Edited 19 January by Mark1959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rayner Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January I'd concur with all that from my research. Can't find any reference to RE IW&D for that number (325277) George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1959 Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January For completeness here is the AVL record from 1918, Courtesy FMP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January (edited) There's also a BWM & VM MIC for an Arnold CROLY, 26305, Grenadier Guards - he might be worth exploring. ??? Not showing on CWGC Unfortunately [for us] I've not found a corresponding pension record at WFA/Fold3 either so his address is unknown to me. M Edited 19 January by Matlock1418 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January 13 minutes ago, Matlock1418 said: There's also a BWM & VM MIC for an Arnold CROLY, 26305, Grenadier Guards - he might be worth exploring. ??? Not showing on CWGC Unfortunately [for us] I've not found a corresponding pension record at WFA/Fold3 either so his address is unknown to me. M This man has a surviving record but the second page shows that he married on 25.12.1904 to a Mary Ann Amelia Martin. The OP states that his man married a Caroline in 1904. (image courtesy of Find My Past) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January 10 hours ago, Pottsy123456 said: He married in 1904 to Caroline So you have this ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January And you clearly have seen this for the Tank Plater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January And the 1939 Register in Ancestry gives his date of birth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January 5 hours ago, Mark1959 said: Cpl (Corporal) W/R/325277 I, W & D., Royal Engineers At the end of the day this is the only guide to his army service. Assuming he did not serve abroad, there wold be no medals, and no medal cards 1915 Voters list at 43 Phoebe St 1916 May 20 born George James, a son, from a non conformist Bapt certs which do not give fathers name, 43 Phoebe St. As has been said the birth cert may give an army reference 1919 Absent voters list as above at 43 Phoebe St 1919 Oct 4. A tank maker on daughter Lilian Edith bapt cert 1920 Electoral Register at Three Colt St, Limehouse with Caroline. No mention of Army service here 1921 census at 133, Three Colt Street, Limehouse with family. He is working for Baldwins Ltd Galvanizers & Sheet Iron Works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January 19 minutes ago, corisande said: At the end of the day this is the only guide to his army service. Assuming he did not serve abroad, there would be no medals, and no medal cards The RE roll is on this page on Ancestry - click. Which shows medals for WR/325278. The man before that was WR/325275. So the subject of this thread he would not have had medal entitlement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottsy123456 Posted 19 January Author Share Posted 19 January (edited) Hello All, Thank you for all of your detailed research, this is my understanding of the family tree. 11 hours ago, George Rayner said: 191936 Birth of daughter Lilian Edith Croly(1919–1993) 4th October 1919 • Stepney, London This is my grandmother^ 6 hours ago, Allan1892 said: This man has a surviving record but the second page shows that he married on 25.12.1904 to a Mary Ann Amelia Martin. The OP states that his man married a Caroline in 1904. (image courtesy of Find My Past) This is where is gets slightly confusing. I believe Arnold Croly (B.1889) is his half-brother, born out of wedlock/extra-marital affair. William Arnold Croly (B. 1883) was born to Arnold William Croly (B. 1853) and Louisa Towl (B.1853). Arnold Croly is born to Marth Louisa 'Croly' in 1889, but no father is listed. However, in the 1891 Census Arnold Croly is living with Arnold William Croly (Sr.) and is listed as being 'Grandson'. However, by the 1901 Census, Louisa Towl has died. Arnold William Croly (Sr.) is living with Martha 'Croly', and Arnold Croly (Jr.) is now listed as son. Arnold (Sr.) and Martha later marry in 1903. Arnold Croly Jr. marries Mary Ann Amelia Martin. This is my guess going from birth and baptism records. 5 hours ago, corisande said: At the end of the day this is the only guide to his army service. Assuming he did not serve abroad, there wold be no medals, and no medal cards 1915 Voters list at 43 Phoebe St 1916 May 20 born George James, a son, from a non conformist Bapt certs which do not give fathers name, 43 Phoebe St. As has been said the birth cert may give an army reference 1919 Absent voters list as above at 43 Phoebe St 1919 Oct 4. A tank maker on daughter Lilian Edith bapt cert 1920 Electoral Register at Three Colt St, Limehouse with Caroline. No mention of Army service here 1921 census at 133, Three Colt Street, Limehouse with family. He is working for Baldwins Ltd Galvanizers & Sheet Iron Works I have the following documents, thank you for the help. I will have to try and speak with other family members for more information. Other family oral history is that frustratingly one of the daughters threw away most of his military items once he died. 8 hours ago, Mark1959 said: For completeness here is the AVL record from 1918, Courtesy FMP So William Croly marries Caroline Ann Robertson and has children - William, Charles (infant death), Caroline, Ethel (infant death), Helen, George, Lilian, Louisa, Ronald (infant death) and Iris. George was born in 1916 and the address on the baptism record is 43 Pheobe Street. 6 hours ago, corisande said: And you clearly have seen this for the Tank Plater The 1911 census seems to correlate with this information, so it would be likely that William Croly was Cpl. W/R/325277, I.W. & D., R.E.? What do the initials mean? Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate the help! Edited 19 January by Pottsy123456 Insert baptism record Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January There were a lot of IWT men who did not serve abroad. There were a number of IWT units around the country, the largest of them all was at the Richborough military port in Kent. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rayner Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January Inland Waterways & Drainage, Royal Engineers George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 19 January Share Posted 19 January 13 minutes ago, George Rayner said: Inland Waterways & Drainage, Royal Engineers George Inland Waterways and Docks. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rayner Posted 20 January Share Posted 20 January Oops. ThaNks Terry George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottsy123456 Posted 25 January Author Share Posted 25 January On 19/01/2024 at 11:09, Terry_Reeves said: There were a lot of IWT men who did not serve abroad. There were a number of IWT units around the country, the largest of them all was at the Richborough military port in Kent. TR Thank you both! I appreciate your responses! I will post more information if I come across it. On 19/01/2024 at 15:05, George Rayner said: Inland Waterways & Drainage, Royal Engineers George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rayner Posted 25 January Share Posted 25 January NB: & Docks not Drainage George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottsy123456 Posted 12 April Author Share Posted 12 April (edited) Just updating this thread with my findings. Thank you everyone so far with the help for William Arnold Croly (1883-1956). Information was quite limited with him, so I tried his half-brother Arnold Croly (1889-1951). Here is a timeline of what I have so far; Reg. No. 26305 Enlisted 4th December 1915 To army reserve 5th December 1915 Mobilized 2nd August 1916 Joined Foot Guards at 'Caterham'? Home 2nd August 1916 – 12th February 1917 France 14th February - 22nd June 1917 [Embarked Southhampton] Transferred to 1 Battn, O.C. 5/G. Grds. [14th February 1917] Joined Battalion at the front [12th March 1917] 'Influenza', 'In the Field' [11th June 1917] 'n. F. D'? [15th June 1917] 'To H.S. (Hospital Ship) St. Patrick' [23rd June 1917] Home 23rd June 1917 – 24th January 1918 [‘Trench Fever’ @ Ilford Emergency Hospital 23rd June – 25th July 1917] 'Transferred to 5th Battalion, Gren. Grds. on arrival in Eng.' [28th June 1917] France 25th January 1918 – 7th January 1919 'Transferred to ...?, Embarked Southamption' [25th Jan 1918] 'Posted to 1st Battalion Gren. Grds., Joined Grds. Division Depot' [27th Jan 1918] 'Joined Battalion' [8th February 1918] Appointed unpaid Cpl [22nd February 1918] Appointed paid Cpl [10th November 1918] Home 8th January 1919 – 31st March 1920 Army reserve [10th February 1919] Discharged [31st March 1920] If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know. I will start looking at war diaries for the 5/Grenadier Guards during this time. Really appreciate any input! Service Record Taken from Ancestry.com Edited 12 April by Pottsy123456 Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rayner Posted 12 April Share Posted 12 April Thanks for the update George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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