1916, DECEMBER 2nd – MARCH FROM MARTINSART TO HEDAUVILLE

From The Story of the 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, by Captain G. K. Rose M.C. (Oxford: B.H. Blackwell, 1920)

On December 2, 1916, the Battalion moved from Martinsart to Hedauville, on its way passing through Englebelmer, the home of one of our 15-inch howitzers, but no longer of its civilian inhabitants. The march was regulated by Pym, the new Brigade Major, who had replaced Gepp a few days before. The latter had proved himself a most efficient staff officer, and his departure to take up a higher appointment was regretted by everybody. Hedauville was an indifferent village, but our billets were not bad. Brigade Headquarters were at the château. One heard much about the habitual occupation of the French châteaux by our staffs during the war. On this particular occasion the Brigade had only two or three rooms at its disposal, and on many others would be licencees of only a small portion of such buildings. The 184th Infantry Brigade Staff was always most solicitous about the comfort of battalions, and its efforts secured deserved appreciation from all ranks.

DIED OF WOUNDS DECEMBER 2nd 1916

4498 Private William James Crabbe

Private William James Crabbe

Name: CRABBE, WILLIAM JAMES
Initials: W J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
Unit Text: “C” Coy. 2nd/4th Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 02/12/1916
Service No: 4489
Additional information: Nephew of Mrs. Bessie Joyce, of 13, Lower Fisher Rd., Park End St., Oxford.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. C. 14.
Cemetery: CONTAY BRITISH CEMETERY, CONTAY

Name: William James Crabbe
Residence: Oxford
Death Date: 2 Dec 1916
Rank: Private
Regiment: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Battalion: 2/4th Battalion.
Number: 4498
Type of Casualty: Died of wounds
Theater of War: Aldershot