William Charles Reginald CRANTON. Bandsman 2865588, 1st Gordon Highlanders. Died 14th May 1924 aged 21 and 7 months. Son of William (army pensioner) and Laura Maud, nee Oram. 1911 he was with his parents and siblings at his aunt Lucy Cranton's home at Love Lane, Illminster, Somerset. His father died in 1934 aged 71, his mother Laura Maud 1968 aged 87 both at Chard Somerset.
Memorial erected by his fellow bandsmen.
At rest in Pembroke Military Cemetery. P1/R1/G7
Some notes from what remains of his fathers army records -
William Cranton first joined the army aged 19 and 2 months on the 13th August 1881 into the Somerset Light Infantry as Private 217. He had previously served with the Devon Militia which he joined on 23rd November 1880. He lived with his parents Charles and Elizabeth at Ilminster, Somerset, occupation mason. On 15th January 1882 he was transferred into the East Surrey Regiment as private 187. On 30th December 1886 while serving with the 2nd East Surrey's he was tried by District Court Martial for desertion on 30th November 1886. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour. He was released on 29th June 1887 and returned the 2nd battalion. He served in India from 2nd October 1886 to 25th February 1902 and the returned to Regimental Depot at Kingston on Thames. He was discharged at his own request after serving 18 years on 11th October 1902 with the rank of Sergeant. He was then aged 40 and 2 months and his home address was 79 East Street, Illminster, Somerset . He fought in the Egyptian Campaign 1885, promoted to Corporal on 6th August 1891 and Sergeant 20th June 1893. He re-enlisted Taunton, Somerset on 14th September 1914 and was posted to the Somerset Light Infantry as Private 7667. The following day he was promoted to Sergeant later transferred to the 10th Devonshire Regiment as Sgt 7809 on 30th September 1914. He was again transferred to the Wiltshire Regiment (No 5 Works Company) on 20th January 1915, then back to 12th Devonshire Regiment (Labour Corps) on 3rd May 1916 to 15th January 1917. Another transfer to the Wiltshire Regiment Depot on 2nd March 1917. He was discharged from the army no longer physically fit for war service with the rank of sergeant on 16th January 1919. He had served a further 4 years and 125 days. During this period he was posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France from 22nd September 1915 to 22nd November 1915 and again on 14th June 1916 to 30th December 1916.
He was married on 12th June 1902 at Kingston on Thames Registry Office to Maud Oram (full name Laura Maud Oram) they had the following children -
William Charles Reginald born 15th September 1903 at Illminster, Somerset.
Irene Maud born 13th February 1905 at Pontypridd, South Wales.
Doris Alice Virtue May born 2nd January 1908 at Kingston on Thames, Middlesex/Surrey
Elizabeth Lucy Lilian born 10th February 1910 at Illminster Somerset
Edwin John born 9th August 1913 at Illminster and died 21st February 1917
Albert E George born (looks like) 2nd January 1916 at Chard Somerset
Charles Thomas born 16th July 1918 at Illminster Somerset
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