Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Charles Crow, a quarry plate layer, born 25th August 1874 in Hockley, Essex and his wife Maud Ellen Crow (nee Merriman, married in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 9th July 1877 in Enderby, Leicestershire. Ralph Charles was born on the 26th February 1898 in Enderby and was baptised on the 10th July 1898 in the parish church, Enderby, his siblings were, Mabel Emma, born 23rd April 1896 and Dorothy May, born 1901, both his siblings were born in Enderby, in March 1901 the family home was in West Street, Enderby. In April 1911 Ralph was employed in a shoe trade stock room and was residing in the family home in John Street, Enderby, together with his father a stone quarry plate layer, his mother and siblings Mabel, a mothers help, Dorothy, a schoolgirl, Beatrice Emily, a schoolgirl, born 8th August 1902, Albert James, a schoolboy, born 5th November 1904, Walter, born 1908 and Fredrick William, born 25th October 1909, the latter four siblings were all born in Enderby. Ralph had an older sibling Oswald, who was born and died in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Enderby and he also had the following younger siblings, Harry, born 18th July 1913, Sidney J., born 1st quarter of 1916 and Sylvia C., born 13th February 1919, the latter three siblings were all born in Enderby. In 1939 Ralph’s father, a quarry railway plate layer, his mother and siblings, Harry, an India rubber trade worker and Sylvia, a rubber thread trade examiner all resided at 2, Conery Lane, Enderby. Ralph was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 13 Apr-18 – TRENCHES. During night readjustment of line ordered but not completed by dawn owing to difficulties in communication. Heavy fog at daybreak. Enemy appeared 6.00am gave trouble by driving up to K.10.d.2.0 and using Machine Gun fire on our posts. 6.30am enemy attack developed on centre left Corp – successfully repulsed on right but by aid of fog he penetrated between Left and Centre Companies and gained LEPINETTE FARM. Left Company fell back on 4th GRENADIER GUARDS at K.5.d. Gap of 400 yards at this movement between Left Company and DUKE OF CORNWALLS LIGHT INFANTRY just South East of ARREWAGE which No.1 Company (30 men all told) attempted to fill. No.2 and 3 Companies left with flanks exposed and enemy working round them. These Companies held on until surrounded on 3 sides then attempted to fight their way back. Very few succeeded. Meanwhile Left Company heavily attacked by enemy at LE CORNET PERDU. This attack however was heavily repulsed. 2.00pm Brigade front reported to be broken. 12th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY having been forced to retire and enemy having penetrated our line to the left of 4th GRENADIER GUARDS the latter were then completely cut off. Our No.4 Company being in same trench as 4th GRENADIER GUARDS were completely cut off. Battalion Headquarters was moved to FM at CAUDESCURE and this line was their line established to run parallel with and East of the FM BEAULAEU – ARREWAGE Road. At dusk remnants of Battalion (about 40 men) collected and held East and South East corner of orchard at extreme South East of ARREWAGE. Quiet night rations and ammunition 2 packs brought up.
Casualties for day:- Missing Captain WHITTAKER, Lieutenant RENNELL, Captain GLOVER, 2nd Lieutenant CARR, 2nd Lieutenant -?- Other Ranks killed in action 17. Wounded 84. Missing 259.