Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Benjamin Crofts, a bricklayer, born 1863 in Leicester and his wife Maria Crofts (nee Gurney, married in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in the Leicester district), born 1863 in Leicester. Harry was born in the 1st quarter of 1888 in Leicester, his siblings were, Edith Mary, born 1886 and Albert, born in the 1st quarter of 1890, both his siblings were born in Leicester, also residing in the family home was Harry’s maternal Aunt, Lucy Gurney, a stay maker, born 1865 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 78, Syston Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Harry was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at 78, Syston Street, Leicester, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother a shoe trade fitter and his siblings Edith, a cigar maker and Albert. In April 1911 Harry was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at 78, Syston Street, Leicester, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and sibling Edith, a cigar maker. Harry’s death in action was officially accepted to have been on the 30th August 1918 at Boiry, he was awarded the British War and Victory medals. Harry’s elder brother Albert also fell in action.
30 Aug-18 – ROCLINCOURT. Commanding Officer went forward to reconnoitre the line South of the River SCARPE. Notification issued that the Battalion would march to ORANGE HILL H.34.a. (Reference map 51B 1/40,000) passing the stacking point A.29.c.8/2 at 2.40 pm. The Battalion arrived at ORANGE HILL about 6.10 pm where it was met by the Commanding Officer. Tea was served and preparations made to proceed at once to the front line. The Battalion moved off by platoons at 7.15 pm and marched via MONCHY-LE-PREUX and along the Railway running through O.2.C & D and O.3.C & D (Map 51B) to BOIRY-NOTRE-DAME. The Battalion was then halted whilst the Commanding Officer interviewed the officer of the 39th MACHINE GUN Battalion in charge of the Machine Guns which were then holding the front. No infantry were then in the line allotted to the Battalion. The Battalion was to be the left Battalion of the Brigade with boundaries as follows. Left:- BOIRY NOTRE DAME – HAMBLAIN LES PRES Road inclusive as far as cross Roads. 1.30.a.9/4 thence HAMBLAIN LES PRES and VALLEY WOOD both exclusive to MONT NOTRE DAME. Right:- CORNER COPSE – J.31 central thence road to junction J.26.d.5/1 thence to road junction J.26.D.9/2 thence road junction J.27.B.5/0 – Road from J.27.B.5/0/8 J.22.D. 0/7 all inclusive. The 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was on our right with 9th SHERWOOD FORESTERS in support. The 32nd Brigade (2nd YORKSHIRE REGIMENT) was on our left. “D” Company was ordered to take up an outpost position in front of the Machine Guns of the 39th MACHINE GUN Battalion on our line approximately I.36.a.0/4 – I.36.a.5/0 – I.36.d.0/0. This was after considerable trouble owing to the guides supplied by the MACHINE GUN Battalion losing themselves. “B” Company took up a position in close support from BENCH FARM I.35.D.2/6 to I.36.d.0/0. “A” Company were in LADY LANE (sunken road running South East from BOIRY NOTRE DAME) from O.5.B.3/9 to O.6.c.1/5. “C” Company were in the road running South from BOIRY from O.5.c.1/8 to O.11.a.2/7. Battalion Headquarters in a small dug-out at O.5.a.30/60. No trenches were in the Battalion sector. Slits were cut out in the banks of sunken roads and shell holes were consolidated for posts. Enemy shelling during the evening was erratic. Casualties were as follows:- 39997, Private SMITH, H. “B” Company, 40439, Private CROFTS, H. “D” Company, 37421, Private CROWSDALE, M. “D” Company, 43708, Private WHITTAKER, E. “D” Company, 39964, Private WANELAM, S. “D” Company, 17150 Private FLAHERTY, M. “D” Company.