680775 GNR. D. CRANSHAM.  R.F.A.

 

David Cranshaw was born on 4 February 1892 in Ashton on Ribble and baptised at Ashton St Andrew on 3 April.  His father was John Thomas Cranshaw (b. 1858 in Preston), a foreman cloth looker in a cotton mill.  His mother was Annie Moore (b. 1859 in Preston).  Annie and John Thomas were married on Christmas Day 1879 and they had seven children, though 3 died young.  The survivors were: Thomas (b. 1883), Edith (b. 1886), then David, and finally Violet (b. 1893).

 

David was probably in the Territorials before the War.  When he enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery he was given service number 2395 and posted to “A” Battery in 276 Brigade.  His service number was later changed to 680775.  For whatever reason, David was not with his Brigade when they first landed in France with 55th Division in September 1915.  He must have joined them later, in the field, probably in 1916.

 

The War Diary reports that on 9 June 1917, 276 Brigade carried out special operations in connection with a raid by 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment on Ibex Trench, and on 10-12 June they “vigorously engaged in retaliation for hostile fire on our trenches.  D/276Bty carried out special neutralising fire on various enemy batteries”.  David Cranshaw was killed in action on 12 June 1917.  He was 25 years old.

 

Rank:  Gunner

Service No:  680775

Date of Death:  12/06/1917

Age:  25

Regiment/Service:  Royal Field Artillery, “A” Bty, 276 Bde.

Cemetery/memorial reference:  III. A. 3.

Cemetery/Memorial:  VLAMERTINGHE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of John Thomas and Annie Cranshaw, of 68 Waterloo Terrace, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston.

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