EDWARD CULLEN CROUCH

Ipswich War Memorial | Posted on 28th September 2016 |

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

EDDIE

Born: 8th November 1912, Chesterton, Cambridgeshire.

Died: 11th October 1941; age: 28 years & 11 months; of multiple injuries in a flying accident at Netheravon, Wiltshire.

Residence: 31, Manor Road, Crowcombe, Taunton, Somerset.

Employed: for the five past years as District Representative at Taunton, Somerset, for R.&W. Paul Ltd., grain merchants of Ipswich.

Edward joined the Fleet Air Arm on the 11th April 1941.

Rank: Leading Airman; Service Number: FX/87410.

Regiment: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (A). H.M.S. ‘Daedalus’ Royal Navy Air Stations & Fleet Air Arm.

Grave Reference:

Grave 2/1822.

St. Mary’s Cemetery,

Taunton,

Somerset.

Edward’s headstone reads ”Well Played Eddie”

Relatives Notified & Address: Only son of Thomas Arthur Cullen Crouch & Nellie May Crouch, of 8, Broomhill Road, Ipswich; husband of Mildred Mary Crouch, of Crowcombe, Somerset.

Father: Thomas Arthur Cullen Crouch, born August 1882, Fareham, Hampshire. A Bank Cashier.

Mother: Nellie May Crouch (nee Phillips), born June 1881, Neath, Glamorganshire, Wales.

CENSUS

1921 45, Humberstone Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.

Edward was 8 years and 9 months old. He attended School and lived with his parents & sister.

Thomas Crouch, 38 years & 10 months old, a Bank Clerk for Lloyds Bank Ltd., Cambridge.

Nellie Crouch, 39 years & 7 months old, Home Duties.

Dorothy Crouch, 3 years & 4 months old, born Neath, Glamorganshire, Wales.

Edward was educated at Ipswich School – he left the school in 1930.

In Taunton, Edward had taken as prominent a part in local cricket as he had always taken at Ipswich School and while he was in Ipswich.

http://www.ipswichschoolmuseumandarchives.co.uk

In October 1939, at St. Mary’s Church, Taunton, Somerset, Edward married Mildred Mary Jordan, of Crowcombe, Somerset, born 1918, Crowcombe.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.

Edward and Mildred lived at 31, Manor Road, Taunton, Somerset. He was a Representative of Corn Merchants.

Probate to Mildred Mary Crouch – widow.

11th October 1941 – also killed in the accident:

Pilot Officer/Pilot; Basil Arthur Herdman Newton; age 21; R.A.F.V.R., 1 F.T.S. Basil was laid to rest at All Saints’ Churchyard, Netheravon, Wiltshire.

Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser – 18th October 1941

E.C. CROUCH, OF TAUNTON

POPULAR CRICKETER

Much sympathy has been expressed with Mrs. M. Couch, of Crowcombe, near Taunton, on the death on Saturday, while on active service, of her husband, Naval Airman Edward Cullen Crouch, aged 28. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. T.A.C. Crouch, of 8, Broomhill Road, Ipswich. Acting Naval Airman Crouch was very well known in Taunton, where in civilian life he had represented the firm of R.&W. Paul, Ltd., grain merchants, Ipswich. He had lived in Taunton for the past five years, and he joined the Fleet Air Arm on April 11th, exactly six months before the day of his death.

During all the years he had lived in Taunton, he played regularly as wicket-keeper for the Taunton Cricker XI. He was also a sound batsman, and many thought him of County Cricket standard. While on leave this season, he played for the Taunton side. In local football circles, he was also well known, as for many seasons he had been the right half-back of the Staplegrove Soccer XI. He was also a member of the Staplegrove Men’s Club. Of a very cheerful disposition, he was popular with all. In October of last year, at St. Mary’s Church, Taunton, he was married to Miss Mildred Jordan, of Crowcombe, and until he joined the Fleet Air Arm lived with his wife at 31, Manor Road, Taunton.

AIRMEN’S FUNERAL TRIBUTE

It was at St. Mary’s Church, Taunton, on Thursday that the funeral service was held. The Vicar, Preb. W.H. Heaton Renshaw, assisted by the Curate, Rev. Donald Shiels, officiated. Many local sportsmen friends formed a guard of honour outside the church. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack, and the cortege included six fellow airmen of the Fleet Air Arm.

The family mourners were:- Mrs. M. Crouch (wife), Mr. and Mrs. T.A.C. Crouch, Ipswich (parents), Mr. M. Jordan, Crowcombe (father-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Leslie M. Jordan (brother-in-law and sister-in-law).

Among the general mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Smart (friend), Mrs. A. Fieldgate, also representing her son, Mr. Stanley Fieldgate, R.A.F., Miss N. Fieldgate, Mrs. I.G. Punter, Mrs. R.W.J. Cole, Mr. F.W.M. Gladwyn, and Mr. H.G. Stafford, representing directors and staff of Messrs. R. & W. Paul, Ltd., Ipswich, Mr. A.V. Betty, Mr. Lock and son, seedsmen, Yeovil, Mr. E.D. West, Miss L.F. Nott, lady worker of St. Mary’s Church, Taunton, Mr. H.J. Stinchcomb (friend), Mr. C.P. Ewens, also representing Taunton Amateurs Football Club, Mr. Tom Day, , also representing the old Taunton Football Club. The Taunton Cricket Club was , also represented by Messrs. H.P. Fear (captain), H.J.C. Weaver, V.G. Robson, C.R.L. Hill, and A.T. Autton. The Staplegrove Sports Club was represented by Mr. L. Endicott and Mr. W.L. Summerhayes.

FLORAL TRIBUTES

Floral tributes were received from the following:- “Till we meet again my dearest, all my love darling,” from your broken-hearted “Mills”; To our Dear Eddie, from his heart-broken Mother, Dad, and Doff, “Love’s greatest gift, Remembrance”; From Elsie and Tom, Wellesley Street; In loving memory of one of the best, from Mother, Dad, and Gran, Crowcombe; With deepest Sympathy, from Gran Phillips, with love; In affectionate remembrance and with deepest regrets , from Dennis, Newberry; With deepest sympathy, from Robbie; With deepest sympathy,from Reg and Dick; In affectionate remembrance and with deepest regrets, from Auntie Ray and Uncle Ewan, Wandsworth; With deepest sympathy from Bert and Joyce; With deepest sympathy from the Commanding Officer; With deepest sympathy, the officers; With deepest sympathy, K Squad, R.A.F.; With deepest sympathy, the pupils; With deepest sympathy, the Sergeant; With deepest sympathy, the P.S.T.; With deepest sympathy,from the Taunton Cricket Club; In remembrance, from Mr. H.C. Smart, and Mrs. E. Sutton; With sincere regret and many pleasant memories, from the Staplegrove Sports Club; With deepest sympathy from Michael and Peter Bradford; In loving remembrance, from Stan, Mrs. Fieldgate, and Nora; With deepest sympathy, from the Directors, R. & W. Paul, Ltd., Avonmouth; In kind remembrance from the staff and travellers, R. & W. Paul, Ltd., With sincere sympathy from Mrs. Routley, Geoff, Mabel, and George.

The funeral arrangements were made by Messrs. W. & A. Chapman, Ltd., Taunton.