Lidgate like every other village was touched by the tragedy of the Great War.
To the strains of a brass band playing the French Marseilles the recruiting party sought volunteers outside the Royal Oak.

Sergeant George Crann, 6th Bn. London Regt (City of London Rifles) died Saturday, 25th Sept. 1915 aged 20. He was killed at the Battle of Loos and buried in the Maroc British Cemetery. Son of Alfred and Ellen Crann, Landlord of the Royal Oak.

The following is an extract from one of his letters home:
"We have spent sixteen days in the trenches, twelve of which we spent in the firing line and four in support so you may guess we have had enough of it for one turn. We did not have our boots off the whole time. Taking our clothes off is a thing of the past. I have not had mine off (except for an occasional wash) since April. We indulged in a bath and change of clothes on Sunday (first for about 4 weeks) . Oh for the times when we can have a regular Saturday night scrub, even if we do stick to the chair.
I hope you are enjoying your holiday. I did think that we might get leave, but the chance is now very small. Leave was started last week but only at the rate of one man per company, at that rate it will take four years to go round, so unless the percentage is raised I don't think we stand much chance. A week or two at "Happy Lidgate" would just suite me now after having been almost a year without having had one clear day off. I suppose we shall have to wait till the war is over and then Oh what a time we will have, to make up for what we have lost. We still have our daily "sport" (hunting) but the bag has been much smaller lately - as we had a clean change about a fortnight ago. In another week or so they will be getting lively."

The notification of his death 6th October 1915
"It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you that your son, Sergt G.Crann was killed in action on Sept 25th while leading his platoon into the attack. His death was that of a soldier and a brave man, but fortunately it was painless as he was killed instantly. I shall miss him immensely as he was my platoon sergeant and always proved a smart, thorough and reliable N.C.O. I am also very sorry to have to inform you that his brother Rifleman Crann was wounded the same day, but I believe only quite slightly and I trust you will soon have him home convalescent quite shortly."

SIGNALLER GODFREY CRANN
Godfrey Crann was the youngest of the brothers and was conscripted towards the end of the war. He fought with the1st Bn., Cambridgeshire regiment, died aged 20 on Tuesday, 31st July 1917 defending the Ypres Salient. He was commemorated on the Menin Gate.

 

PRIVATE EDWARD JOHN FOREMAN

Private Edward John Foreman, 2nd Bn., Suffolk Regiment died aged 19 on Wednesday, 16th August 1916. Son of James and Fanny Foreman. Buried in Quarry Cemetery, Montauban, The Somme.

"He was killed by a shell when taking rations to his Company. He was a very brave lad and I am sure he never suffered..I saw him the previous day reading his pocket testament in the trench."

Letter from friend to parents.