CRAMPTON, Joseph

Joseph Crampton was the son of Thomas and Emily Crampton of 115 Two Gates, Cradley. He enlisted in the Worcesters and was posted to the 4th Battalion. They returned from Gallipoli in January 1916 and went to the Western Front a few months later. In 1916 they fought on the Somme at Beaumont Hamel and the Transloy Ridges and then followed up the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On the 23rd April they were in acton in the fierce struggle for Monchy-le-Preux in the Battle of Arras and suffered heavily and on the 27th April Private Joseph Crampton was unfortunate to receive shrapnel wounds to both legs. He was sent to St. Lukes's Hospital, Leeds, where he died on the 2nd June. He was 22 years of age and his parents arranged a quiet burial in Netherend chapel graveyard at Cradley. He is commemorated on the Cradley and Halesowen Memorials.