Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was working in Coventry before the outbreak of war, having learnt the grocery business whilst employed at Hunter’s Limited of Coalville, Leics. Other sources show his first name as John.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday April 7th, 1916

Gunner J. F. Cracknell, of the R.F.A., whose parents reside in Bakewell Street, Coalville, and who was working at Coventry before the war, having learnt the grocery business at Hunter’s Ltd, Coalville, was killed in action last Sunday.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 14th, 1916

COALVILLE GUNNER KILLED

STRUCK BY A PIECE OF SHELL

Mr and Mrs W. J. Cracknell, of Bakewell Street, Coalville, have received the sad news that their son, Gunner J. F. Cracknell, of the R.F.A. was killed in action in France, through being struck by a piece of shell. The information was contained in a letter from a friend of the deceased who enlisted at the same time, and they made a compact with each other that if anything befell either of them, the other would let the parents know.

Cracknel was 24 years of age and single. He served his apprenticeship to the grocery trade at Messrs. Hunter’s shop at Coalville, and before the war was engaged in a shop in Coventry. He enlisted in August, 1914, almost immediately on the outbreak of war, and had been at the front in France about ten months. Two months ago he was at Coalville, on leave, and brought home a bayonet which he took from a German, and also a small cross-shaped knife which had been manufactured from British, French and German bullets. At the time of his death he was attached to the signalling section, having recently been awarded a certificate for proficiency in this branch of army work.

Gunner Cracknell was the second son of Mr W. J. Cracknell, who had three sons serving their King and country. The eldest, William, in the same regiment, was wounded at Loos, and is now at Hawarden. The youngest of the three, Louis, is a driver in the motor transport service.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 29th, 1918.

In Loving Memory of Gunner J. F. Cracknell, (1926), killed in action, April 2nd, 1916, somewhere in France.

“We often pause to think, dear son,
And wonder how you died.
With no one near who loved you dear,
Before you closed your eyes.
You nobly did your duty,
And like a hero fell;
Could I have held your drooping head,
And heard your last farewell.”

From his sorrowing Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 4th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of Gunner J. F. Cracknell, 1926, killed in action April 2nd, 1916. Aged 24 years.

“To-day recalls sad memories.”

From his sorrowing Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 2nd, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Cracknell – In loving memory of Gunner Frederick Cracknell, killed in action, April 2nd, 1916.

“Let the winds of Heaven blow gently,
O’er the sweet and sacred spot,
Although you are so far away,
Dear son, you are not forgot.”

From his loving Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 13/10/2017