Born: 1884, Heaton
Died: 18 March 1917, London General Hospital
Buried: Bowling Cemetery
Address: 4 Intaake Road, Eccleshill
Parents: Joseph & Sarah, nee Wright
Spouse: Annie, nee Rollinson
Siblings: seven
Occupation: Stoker
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Private
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: St Luke’s, Eccleshill
Children: Harry
Regiment: Scots Guards
Benjamin McCrea
Benjamin McCrea was born in
1884 in Heaton the son of Joseph
McCrea and Sarah, nee Wright.
By 1901 the family are living at 37
Airedale Road and Joseph is
working as a jobbing gardener on
his own account and Benjamin at
17 years of age is working for his
father as a gardener’s labourer.
On the 27th December 1900
Benjamin enlisted as Private 6953
in the Duke of Wellington’s West
Riding Regiment, 33rd and 76th
foot. Benjamin appears on the
1901 census as a gardener’s
labourer living at home so whether
he was with his Regiment is
debatable.
On the 11th June 1902 Benjamin
further enlisted as Private 4493 in
the 1st battalion of the Scots
Guards at the age of 18 years and
two months. His records confirm
that he had previously served in
the Duke of Wellington’s
Regiment.
In 1911 Benjamin was again living
at home with his family.
Benjamin at 25 years of age is a
waiter in a Refreshment Room.
On the 19th of August, 1912 at St
Luke’s Church, Eccleshill
Benjamin married Annie Rollinson
who was 28 years of age living at 4
Intake Road.
Benjamin was now working as a
stoker. Benjamin and Annie lived
at 4 Intake Road where their son
Harry was born in 1913. When
Benjamin enlisted he was
employed by Edward Ripley and
Son Ltd.
In June 1915 he enlisted as Private
13867 in the 3rd Reserve Battalion
of the Scots Guards.
This Battalion did not see service
abroad and remained in Britain for
the whole of the war. Benjamin
died on the 18th March 1917 in the
London General Hospital. He was
38 years of age and he is buried in
Bowling Cemetery, Bradford.
He left his effects to his widow
Annie who received £5.9.2d on the
19th May 1916 and a War Gratuity
of £3.0.0d on the 15th September
1919.
.
Researched and written by Jean
Britteon, to whom many thanks
