Biography

Laurence Crotty was born in Ireland.

Gunner Laurence Crotty served in the British Army in World War I
Service started: 05 Aug 1914
Unit(s): Royal Field Artillery
Service ended: 04 Jul 1915

Laurence Crotty was Killed in Action during World War I.

Laurence was born on 22 March 1891 at the family home, Ballinamintra, Tramore, Co. Waterford Ireland. ^[1] He was probably named after his maternal grandfather Laurence Ryan.

In 1901, Laurence was living with his family at the farm in Ballinamintra, Tramore, Co. Waterford. ^[2]. His location in 1911 has not been established, but he was likely at some location with the military, as he had joined the British Reserves.

In 1914 Laurence was mobilised and sent to fight with the Royal Field Artillery in Belgium. He became a gunner for his regiment. His war diary recounts many details of life in the trenches, and the danger he encountered during periods of heavy fighting.

Laurence was killed by a German shell near Ypres, Belgium, on 4th July 1915. He was 24 years old. He is buried in Potijze Wood Cemetery, Ypres. ^[3][4]

Sources

1. ↑ Civil birth record: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1891/02386/1890298.pdf
2. ↑ 1901 census: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Waterford/Kilmacleague/Ballynamoyntragh/1766752/
3. ↑ British Commonwealth war graves website: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/158865/L%20CROTTY/
4. ↑ Gravestone image from family collection, attached to this profile.