Trooper Henry Crouch

Ancestor Details

Ancestor's Name: Henry (Harold/Harry) Wolsey Crouch
Ancestor's date of birth: 8/12/1882
Ancestor's date of death: Detail not provided
Cause of Death: Age related.
Service and Life Before the Boer War: Had recently left school and was working as a clerk. Grew up in the Casino district, was living at Arthur Street Randwick when enlisted.
Service Number: 229
Colony or State of enlistment: NSW Place of Enlistment: Sydney
Unit: B Sqn, 5 Australian Commonwealth Horse (NSW)
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 1902
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): CAPT Date Effective: 1916
Murray Page: 189
Contingent: Second New South Wales.
Ship: Warrigal, Date of Sailing: 30/12/1899
Memorial details: Detail not provided
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Military Cross, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Personal Characteristics: 161 cm tall, 62 kg (1914), brown eyes, brown hair and of dark complexion.
Reasons to go and fight: Adventure and duty.
Details of service in war: 5ACH was regarded as one of the best units to leave Australia but it had no chance to show its talents as arrived at Durban on 18 June 1902 after the signing of the peace.
During its short stay in South Africa half the battalion (that is 2 squadrons) were stationed at Newcastle, Natal and the other half initially at Durban and later at Gilletts, Natal. The reason for this was that the battalion was held for a brief period of time against the possibility that the 'Bitter Enders' amongst the Boers might continue the struggle. It was not however moved into enemy territory in the Orange Free State or Transvaal. The battalion embarked again in Durban on the transport Manchester Merchant on 1 July 1902 and disembarked at Sydney on 1 August 1902 having stopped at Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Hobart en route.
Service and life after the Boer War: Worked as a Farmer in the Grafton area. Was unmarried in 1914. Joined the AIF 8 December 1914, B Sqn 6LH as Trooper No 592. Served at Gallipoli. Transferred to 12 Inf Bde and commissioned 2LT in March 1916. Served in the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, France. Awarded the Military Cross 4 October 1916. Promoted Captain 25 May 1917. Wounded in action 8 June 1917. returned to Australia 15 Jan 1919.
The citation of his MC stating: "For conspicuous gallantry during operations where the entire crew of one gun were knocked out and the gun buried by an enemy shell. He unearthed the gun and brought it back into action again. For several days he set an example of coolness and contempt for danger."

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Michael Crouch AO, Point Piper NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Son
Name of Descendant: Graham Crouch OAM, Bondi Beach NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Son

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