Calrow, William Robert Launcelot

William Robert Launcelot Calrow

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment: ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Parents: Mr Gerald Walton & Mrs Mabel Selina Calrow

Other Info: Lieutenant Calrow is named on Hastings War Memorial, but it is unclear what his connection to the town is.

According to CWGC, Arthur died aged 19 on 7th October 1914. He is remembered at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial.

Image from the book ‘The bond of sacrifice; a biographical record of all British officers who fell in the Great War’ which is available to view for free at Archive.org.

This book says that “was born at San Antonio. Texas. U.S.A., on the 12th March, 1895. His parents were both English, Gerald Walton Calrow. and Mabel Calrow, daughter of the late Edmund King. He was a great-grandson of the late William Calrow. Esq., J.P., D.L., of Walton Lodge. Lancashire.

Second-Lieutenant Calrow lost his mother when he was only a year-and-a-half old, and having come to England with his father was brought up by his grandmother, Mrs. Calrow, and educated in England. He was first at a preparatory school at Seascale. Cumberland, then at the School House, Rugby, and finally at the R.M.C. Sandhurst.

He was gazetted to the Army in September, 1913, and joined at Aldershot, where he remained till the 12th August, 1914, when the accompanied his battalion to France for the Great War. He was present at the battle of Mons in the retirement thence, and in the battles of the Aisne and the Marne.

He was killed instantaneously by high-explosive shell on the 7th October, 1914. Both officers and men testified in the highest terms to his courage, coolness and efficiency, and to his kindness and consideration for his men. Only on the morning of his death one of the latter said to the Officer commanding his company : ” Young Mr. Calrow is a hero, if ever there was one.” The same Officer, in writing to his Aunt said: ” Calrow behaved perfectly splendidly; he was wonderfully cool and collected.” While yet another wrote: “A thoroughly efficient young officer, as brave as you make them, and a great loss to us.”

Second-Lieutenant Calrow was very fond of hunting and was a fearless rider from early Boyhood. His recreations also included camping out, and walking among the mountains of Wales. Cumberland, and Switzerland, where he enjoyed skiing.

Published: October 1914

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