CROZIER, William

Rifleman, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Service No: 6025
Died: 19/05/1917
Age: 29

Interred in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery
Recorded on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

William Crozier is recorded on the
Bangor Parish War Memorial
in St. Comgall's Church

William (Willie) was born Frederick William Crozier on 11th March 1888 in Carrickblacker, Co Armagh. He was the son of William Crozier, a coachman, and Henrietta Crozier nee Neill.

He was the fifth of their six children. He was also the second child of the family to bear that name, the other being their second child who died the year before aged 9.

The family moved to Bangor in the late 1890s after the birth of the youngest child Elizabeth (known as May) who was born 1895 and were living in 72 Castle Street at the time of the 1901 census.

The family was still living in Castle Street by the time of the 1911 Census in which William was recorded as a gardener. He was employed at Bangor Castle were he worked for many years.

William enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles serving in the 13th Battalion with the Medal Roll suggesting he enlisted in the 11th Battalion before transferring and went to France with the 36th Ulster Division in October 1915.

William was wounded at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 with the reports giving the family address at this time as 4 Castle Cottages in Bangor.

He recovered from his wound and returned to active service but was killed at Kemmel Hill on 19 May 1917.

Wlater, William's older brother, served with the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

 

Photo of CWG courtesy of Colin Crozier.