I am delighted to share some wonderful news with our readers: the new memorial is now in place in Croft.
 
This project has been a true community achievement. When official support was not forthcoming, residents, friends, and supporters came together to make sure our village had a fitting tribute to remember and reflect. Through countless donations and sheer determination, the dream of a memorial has become a reality.
 
The memorial now stands proudly at Croft Unitarian Chapel, providing a place where we can come together as a community to remember, reflect, and honour ALL those who served.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed — whether you donated or simply helped spread the word. Every act of kindness and generosity played a part in bringing this lasting tribute to life.
A huge thank you goes to Mark Goddard who supplied and built the stand for the memorial.
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Already, the memorial has become a place of quiet significance, and we hope it will continue to serve generations to come as a reminder of both our history and the strength of our community spirit.
If you haven’t yet seen the memorial, we encourage you to visit, reflect, and take pride in what we have achieved together.

​Croft Village Memorial Hall committee voted 4 to 1 against adding the missing WWI names to the memorial, except for Samuel Yates, which they will add subject to further criteria being met.

UPDATE 07/11/2024
The Memorial Hall have now decided not to add any of the missing names. 
Read about Samuel Yates and the reasons behind their decision here.
​
The reason they have given is that the missing names are on the Risley War Memorial, in a different parish. Whilst this is true, Harold Houghton is also named on the Risley memorial as well as on the Croft memorial. If he can be on both, why can't the others, especially his childhood friend George?
 
I'm deeply disappointed that they have refused to honour our fallen heroes by adding the missing names to the memorial. These men made the ultimate sacrifice, and it is our duty to ensure their names are remembered and respected. Failing to include them not only overlooks their contributions but also diminishes the significance of the memorial itself. It's heartbreaking to think that their service could be forgotten in the very place meant to keep their memory alive.
 
I have decided to leave them to do whatever they see fit from now on. I provided 8 pages of written evidence answering all their questions and they have just come back with more random reasons not to add the names. Every time I provide what they want, they change the goalposts. I don’t understand why anybody would fight so hard against this proposal.

They have already refused outright to add the three men from WWII to the memorial hall and so I feel that the only way forward is one memorial, inclusive of all our heroes.
 
I am committed to raising funds for the creation of a full war memorial that will honour the names of all our fallen heroes. Every individual who made the ultimate sacrifice deserves to be remembered, and it is our responsibility to ensure their legacy is preserved for future generations. This new memorial will be a place where our community can come together to pay respects and reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedom. I am confident that with the support of our community, we can build a fitting tribute that ensures no name is forgotten.

Currently, to pay tribute to our heroes you would have to visit the Memorial Hall, then to Christ Church for Samuel Yates grave, then onto Risley War Memorial. After this two mile walk you would still have not paid tribute to all of them, as the only WWII memorial is inside Christ Church and so only available when the church is open (3 or 4 times a month).

Thank you to everyone who has shown their support so far.

We have now achieved our goal!

CROFT WAR MEMORIAL TABLET
 
Separate Effort For Village Institute
 
A meeting convened by the Rector (Rev. H. I. Wadeson) was held in the schoolroom on Friday night last week to consider some appropriate means of perpetuating the memories of the soldiers of Croft who had sacrificed their lives in their duty to home, King and country.

At the outset the Rector announced that the surplus funds of the Soldiers' Comforts Committee (including a donation of two guineas just to hand from Mr. Hodgson, of Hermitage Green) amounted to about £68, and that committee had decided to allocate this sum towards erecting some form of sacred memorial to the fallen heroes of Croft.
 
A proposition to the effect that the sum referred to
be used to establish a village institute was negatived.
 
After a number of those present had expressed their wishes in the matter, it was decided practically unanimously that a suitable tablet sacred to the memory of the fallen soldiers of the parish be erected in the church. The Rector and churchwardens were requested to procure designs and estimates for the completion of the work.
 
With reference to a village institute, the
Rector stated that the idea was by no means a new one. Certainly, the need for such an institution had long been felt, and he was sure all present would be willing to set to work at once to raise funds to begin, in a small way an experimental scheme.
 
It was thereupon decided to arrange an American tea, to take place early in September, and all present were requested to consider
themselves members of the committee to carry out the details of the effort, and to endeavour to make it a huge success. It was also thought that a jumble sale might be held at the same time, and that the kind services proffered by Mr. T. Brogden (of Leigh) as auctioneer be utilised.

CROFT - Funds for the Institute
 
On Saturday last a very successful American Tea was held in the
Schoolroom to provide funds for the proposed Memorial Institute. As each visitor was expected to give an article and to purchase an
article, the stalls soon presented a lively appearance, and good business resulted, the nett amount realised being well over 10 guineas.

The main room was tastefully laid out as a cafe chantant, and the patrons were excellently catered for by Mrs. Owen, Misses Southern and Carr, Mrs. Firth and Mrs A. Taylor. The stallholders were: - Mrs. Cawthorne, Mrs. Ingham, Mrs. J. Taylor, Mrs. Walker, and Miss Bate.

There was a bran-tub for the juveniles and good business was done, the whole contents of the tub being speedily cleared. The Misses
Cicely Taylor, Lilian Sankey, Marion Taylor and Isabella Hankinson took charge of this department. The hoop-la stall provided endless
amusement, and at times the business here was fast and furious. Mr. Gramme, Mr. Cawthorne, Mr. Abbey, Mr. Hankinson and other members of the committee took turns in running this show and the nett profit, £7 11s, was considered highly creditable.

Later in the evening the main room was cleared for dancing and
there was a crowded attendance. Mr. Hurdus and Mr. Henshaw were at the piano. Altogether it is estimated that the effort will bring
in over £30 to the Institute Fund.

Temporary premises for the Institute have already been taken and a small beginning will be made on the opening of these premises on September 13th.

CROFT - Memorial Institute
 
A committee meeting was held in the temporary premises on Tuesday night. Mr. J. Hankinson presided. The Chairman alluded to the tragic death of the Secretary of the Institute, Mr. Jos. Banks, which occurred at the Warrington Infirmary on Saturday last, as the result of an accident sustained earlier that day.
A vote of condolence was passed to his widow and family, and the members requested that a wreath be sent and placed on the coffin as a token of sympathy and esteem for their late colleague. It was decided to take in hand at once arrangements for promoting a concert or entertainment, the proceeds to be given to Mrs. Banks as some recognition of the services which her late husband rendered in promoting the Institute.

Offers of help in the way of talent from the neighbouring towns and district will be gladly appreciated, and all those who desire to help
in this respect are requested to communicate with the Hon. Secretaries, Mr. H. B. Firth, Orford House, Croft; and Mr. G. Berry, Oaklands Farm, Croft.
It may be found convenient to arrange the date of the concert for
Friday, 7th, or Saturday, 8th November.

A number of new members were enrolled, and the committee had to take into consideration the advisability of enlarging the present premises, or, alternatively, the purchase and erection of one of the Government huts now on sale.

CROFT - Memorial Institute

The temporary premises opened some few months ago having been found too small and ill-adapted for an institute, the committee decided to purchase an army hut, to be erected on some convenient and central site in the village.

The Rev. H. I. Wadeson and Messrs. Cawthorne and Abbey were deputed to attend a sale of huts at Heaton Park, Manchester, some little time ago, and they were fortunate in securing a hut 70 feet by 20 feet, the purchase price being £110.

Arrangements are being made for transporting the building to Croft, and it is hoped to have it re-erected and ready for occupation well before Christmas.
It is proposed to install a full-size billiard table, and this additional attraction will no doubt encourage greater membership and become a regular source of revenue.

CROFT – New Memorial Institute
Handsome Building Opened By The Bishop Of Warrington
 
Saturday was a red letter day in the annals of Croft. The new institute buildings were formerly opened by the Bishop of Warrington.
The main structure consists of a re-erected Army hut, 70ft. long by 20ft. broad. To the main hall an additional room 20ft. by 16ft. has been added to serve as a refreshment room, kitchen, etc. The main hall will eventually be divided by movable partitions into billiard room, reading room, and a recreation or games room, etc.

The Bishop said it gave him great pleasure to be present on this auspicious occasion. It was highly appropriate that the memorial
should take the form of a village institute, and a singular coincidence that the present building had sheltered during their training many of the soldiers belonging to the regiment with which he had had the honour of being associated.
The Bishop was heartily thanked on the proposition of Mr. John Hankinson (chairman of the Institute Committee), seconded by Mr. F. Grammar. Mr. Joshua Ball proposed "Success to the Institute," and Mr. H. J. Bouchier supported. Mr. Cawthorne replied.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Rector for his untiring efforts on behalf of the institute and to the ladies of the Catering Committee
who had contributed so much to the success of the gathering that day.
After tea an impromptu concert took place in the schoolroom.
The donations promised, along with the proceeds of a tea, dance, etc., amounted to £200.

CROFT- War Memorial

“Today,” writes Mr. Silas Clough, “the memorial at Croft Church will be dedicated to the fallen boys and those who returned from the late war. It will take place at 3.30p.m. The tablet, with 20 names upon it, is for the fallen, whilst the font cover in oak and the stone-base (the font itself being cleaned) is for thankfulness of the boys who returned home. I myself have received from kind friends in Warrington, Cheshire, Newton, Leigh, Salford, Croft, Culcheth and Kenyon, £73 13s. in cash; whilst Mr. W. P. Rylands gave me the weight and best wire cord, 14ft. long, for the working of the oak font cover. I should like to thank everyone through the paper for their great kindness. The Bishop of Warrington will preach.”

CROFT VILLAGE MEMORIAL HALL
STONE-LAYING
ALTHOUGH building work on the site of the new Croft Village Memorial Hall is still in its early stages, an important ceremony was held there on Monday, when local people assembled to see Mr. Joseph E. Birchall officiate at the official laying of the foundation stone.

The ceremony took place during a small service conducted by the Rector of Croft (Canon H. A. C. Hughes), and among those at the event was the Roman Catholic Dean (the Very Rev. T. McGarvey) of St. Lewis', Croft.
The introduction at the stone laying was by Coun. T. Birchall, chairman of the Village Memorial Hall Committee.
He pointed out that Mr. Joseph E. Birchall was truly representative of the people of Croft, as he was born in the village 81 years ago, and had taken an active interest in village affairs.
Coun. Birchall said Mr. Birchall had been a parish council member
and chairman, was a trustee of Croft Burial Society and a trustee
of the Naylor Trust.

Mr. Birchall then stepped forward to perform the stone laying ceremony. He thanked everyone for the honour they had done him by asking him to lay the foundation stone. He said he had been associated with the Croft Memorial Institute which the new hall would replace, since its early days, and was one of the last surviving members of the first committee.
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He said: "The Memorial Institute has served our village well for 40 years and I trust this new building will give equally good service for many years to come.
"As president of the Croft Memorial Institute I have great pleasure in laying this foundation stone of the Croft Village Memorial Hall."

Croft's New £12,500 Hall
'a credit to village'

ALTHOUGH the new Croft Village Memorial Hall has not yet been completed, it was described this week as a credit to the village, the architect and the builder.
This was stated by Coun. P. T. F. Birchall, chairman of the hall committee, when he showed a reporter around the premises.

Since workmen of Harry Fairclough Ltd. Building and Civil Engineering contractors of Warrington, moved on to the site on 1st March, after demolishing the old Memorial Institute, good progress has been made.
Added Coun. Birchall "More important is the fact that care has been taken with the work.”

The accommodation at the hall, which on completion will have
cost in the region of £12,500, consists of a large hall,
which has been designed in such a way that one end of it can be
screened off to enable meetings to be held.

At the other end of the hall, is the stage. There is a spacious kitchen, and off the main entrance hall are the cloakroom and toilet facilities.
Heating will be by an oil-fired system, and a small boiler house adjoins the kitchen.

The entrance to the site has been cleared, and is not only impressive, but has been designed with road safety in mind. Cars will enter along one side of the hall, proceed along the drive to the car park at the rear and then when leaving will pass along the other side of the building.

Coun. Birchall said the colour scheme has been chosen along
with the curtaining, and the large hall is to have a maple floor.
The financial arrangements for paying for the project are made, the committee having received confirmation of the Government grant for half the cost.
The Parish Council is responsible for a further quarter of the
cost and the villagers – the organisations, etc. for the remaining quarter.

It is hoped that the opening ceremony will be held in October as the project is ahead of schedule.
Coun. Birchall paid tribute to the excellent co-operation of
everyone concerned, the builders and workmen, the committee
members, local organisations and Canon H. A. C. Hughes and all
those associated with the scheme in any way.

The hall will be used by local organisations and would probably
be let if available, for private functions.
The idea was not to make a big profit on the hall, but just to
raise sufficient to pay the expenses and keep the premises in
good repair, said Coun. Birchall.

A MEMORIAL plaque has been unveiled at Croft Village Memorial Hall to honour 20 soldiers who lived in the village before losing their lives in the First World War.
The money for the first hall to be built on this site was raised by the returning soldiers and the residents of Croft. It was initially a tin hut which was replaced by the present brick building in 1965.
 
Croft farmer Alan Sharpe led the campaign for the plaque but sadly died earlier this year.
 
His son, Philip placed a wreath of poppies on Alan's behalf during a ceremony attended by dignitaries, the British Legion, residents and the Memorial Hall committee.

Samuel Yates and his twin sister Mary were born on 14 August 1877 in Croft, Lancashire to local butcher Samuel Yates and his wife Mary-Ann.
​
They were baptised at Croft Unitarian Chapel on 19 August 1877.

​In the 1881 census the family are living on Warrington Road, Croft.
In the 1891 census they are living at Barracks Cottages, Mill House Lane in Croft.

In 1900, Samuel married Lizzie Hankin Meeks at Christ Church, Croft. They had a son, Harry in April 1901.
In the 1901 census they are living together at Jacques Houses in Croft.
They had another four children together, all boys. Robert, James,
​John and Frank.
In 1911 the family had moved to Orford.

Samuel signed up for military service on 4th December 1915 and was transferred into the Army reserve.

On 18th April 1917 he was mobilised and posted to the
Royal Garrison Artillery Depot.  On 11th May he was posted to the 1st Reserve Brigade.
​
On 30th August 1917 he was declared a deserter. He was apprehended by civil police on 16th September 1917 and admitted to Lord Derby War Hospital on the same day. His diagnosis was ​‘Insanity aggravated by service’.
He was discharged from the army on 13th July 1918, his medical notes stating:

"On 22nd May 1918 he suddenly became acutely excited and confused, evidently in a state of extreme terror and apprehensiveness"
​
His mental and physical condition worsened after his discharge. Whilst he himself was unwell, his 11-year-old son John tragically died in June 1920, and then Samuel passed away in Rainhill Asylum on 9 July 1920 at the age of 42.
His death certificate states both Insanity and TB as causes of death.
​
He was buried next to his Mother’s grave at Christ Church, Croft with a designated Official Commonwealth War Grave Commission Headstone.

He was one of 55,000 men who returned from war with TB and one of the 18,000 who had died from it by 1922.
​
His father Samuel Yates was still living on Mill House Lane, Croft when his son died. Three years later when he passed away, he joined the family grave at Christ Church.
 
Samuel was the Great Grandson of Samuel and Ellen Yates, who together built Croft Unitarian Chapel on Lady Lane, Croft.
​
The Yates Family were well known butchers in Leigh and Warrington and the company is still in business today as 'Yates & Greer'.

Despite having an official CWGC grave and being born, bred and buried in Croft, Samuel is not named on the Croft War Memorial in the church or at
​Croft Village Memorial Hall.
There is currently a campaign running to include him, and others who were missed off.

They all made the ultimate sacrifice.

​The Memorial Hall have now made the decision that Samuel Yates will not be added to the plaque outside the hall or at the church. This is because unfortunately there is no evidence to show him actually going to war.

​I have provided them with the following, which is everything that is available:

Death Certificate, CWGC Roll of Honour Certificate, War Pension Card, Medical Discharge Form, Enrolment Papers, Imperial War Graves Commission Headstone Inscription Form, War Dead Listing for Warrington Rural District.

Without proof that he actually went to fight, the Memorial Hall committee believe that rather than being missed off the plaque due to error, that it was a decision made by villagers at the time and they do not want to change that.

As with the other soldiers, he will be included on the new memorial which we are fundraising for.

After June’s D-Day anniversary, it came to light that there are no WWII deaths remembered on Croft Village Memorial Hall. I spent some time looking up the details of those fallen in the second world war, who had lived locally.

I found the information for three of them, which I think should be added to the memorial.
The missing WWII dead are:
 
Driver James Swindell
Of Lymm View, Risley (Formerly Risley Primitive Methodist Chapel)
Died of wounds Italy 23/10/1944 Aged 21
 
Lieutenant Richard Moores
Of 3 Lords Lane, Risley
Died Italy 31/10/1943 Aged 29
 
Lance Bombardier James (Jim) Wood
Of Lord Street, Croft
Worked at Oak Tree Farm for Lewis Birchall
Died Algeria 05/12/1942 Aged 35

Feedback has suggested that a handful of people think that the Memorial Hall was built originally as a WWI memorial and it should stay that way. However, the majority feel the names should be added.

If it is decided that the Memorial Hall should stay as a WWI memorial, then we really shouldn’t be holding WWII services there and could perhaps consider Christ Church in future.

After looking much more deeply into the names of the fallen, there are some local names missing from the WWI list.
The memorial hall plaque, which was unveiled in 2014, has the same 20 men as are listed on the Christ Church memorial. 

Christ Church on Lady Lane has two official
Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves from WWI.
​
Both soldiers are buried in the churchyard.
Both died from wounds obtained in WWI.
Both died after the war had ended.

Only one of them is on the memorial list.

Gunner Samuel Yates is not included on the memorial.
​
(The plaque in the church was unveiled whilst he was still alive, so it’s clear why he was missed off at first. I can only assume that by the time the plaque was next updated in 1945, a whole different generation was in charge, and he was sadly forgotten.)

There are three WWI gravestones at Croft Unitarian Chapel, one being an official Commonwealth War Graves Commission grave (Harold Houghton).
Harold Houghton is rightly named on the Christ Church and Memorial Hall plaques.
The other two are Lance Corporal William Whittle and Private George Daintith.
 
George Daintith’s stone was originally in the grave space of Harold Houghton’s grave and reads

IN MEMORY OF HAROLD’S COMRADE
PRIVATE GEORGE DAINTITH
LIVERPOOL REGIMENT
KILLED IN FRANCE
JUNE 25TH 1916
​
I can’t imagine how Harold would feel knowing that he was named on the village memorial whilst George wasn’t.
William Whittle is named on his parent’s grave, with the quote
​‘DUTY NOBLY DONE’.

The Risley War Memorial

This memorial was re-erected after the demolition of Risley Presbyterian Church in 1971. The triangular stone had previously topped the clock of Risley Presbyterian School (Closed as a school in 1932)
John Winterburn writes:
‘…the school was closed and became merely a polling station. Now (1974) there is nothing but the site, and a wooden hut on it at election times. Two relics only remain. Croft Parish Council have kept the War Memorial Tablet and old clock which were part of the school fabric. Someday, they hope to erect them again in another place.’
Taken from A History of Education in Culcheth.

Named on the memorial from WWI are:
Harold Houghton
George Daintith
William Whittle
Norman Gibbins

Again, only one of these names is on the Plaque at the Village Hall and in Christ Church.

So altogether, there are four names missing from the Memorial Hall Plaque which I believe should be on there.
 
Gunner Samuel Yates
Private George Daintith
Lance Corporal William Whittle
Gunner Norman Gibbins
 
The Church may have had (and may still have) other reasons for not including these names, but as the Memorial Hall is for the use of all residents and is in the centre of the village, I think the Croft community should add the missing names from WWI to the Village Hall memorial.

Alan Sharpe’s book states that the names on the church plaque were taken from the Croft 1901 census. This can’t be true for several reasons:

- The records were sealed until 2001
- If they had special access to a census, the 1911 census would be much more accurate than 1901
- Harold Houghton lives in Leigh, not Croft on the 1901 census, yet still made it onto the list
- Even on the 1911 census, both Harold Houghton and George Daintith lived at the Old Noggin Inn in Risley, yet Harold was on the list of Croft war dead, without George. 
​

Why Should We Add Missing Names?

Adding missing names ensures that the memorial accurately reflects all those who sacrificed their lives. It honours every individual's contribution and maintains the integrity of the historical record.

Every person who served and died deserves recognition. Updating memorials to include missing names shows respect for those individuals and acknowledges their sacrifice.

For the families and communities of those whose names were initially omitted, adding their loved ones' names can provide a sense of closure and recognition. It validates their loss and ensures their relatives are remembered alongside their peers.

A complete memorial serves as a more comprehensive educational tool, providing a fuller picture of the war's impact on the community. It helps future generations understand the breadth of sacrifice made during the wars.

Omissions may have occurred due to oversight, lack of records, or other reasons. Correcting these omissions is a matter of historical justice, ensuring that every individual's contribution is duly noted and remembered.

Updating memorials to reflect all who served and died maintains the memorial’s role as a true representation of the community's history and collective memory. It reinforces the values of inclusivity and thoroughness.


​I will be approaching the committee for the Memorial Hall with this information and would also welcome any feedback from residents.

Update 07/11/24
​Decisions have now been made. Read the details here.