THE short life of Harlow resident, Crawford Gadsen as read by a parishoner of St Mary of Latton Church.

This project is brought to you by Harlow Council Civic Fund and HTS Ltd.

Never Forget.

Crawford’s parents were William Burchell Gadsden, born in Toddington, Bedfordshire in 18691 and Sara Jean W Cunningham, born in Luton in 18682. William and Sara married in Luton, Bedfordshire in 18963 and Crawford Cunningham Gadsden was born in Harlow on 7 April 18974.

The 1901 census shows Crawford residing in Bury Road, Harlow with his parents William and Sara. The census records Williams’ occupation as Drapery Traveller. At the time of the census Crawford’s aunt Alice Gadsden, then aged twenty-eight was living with them. The 1911 census shows Crawford residing in six rooms in Bury Road, Harlow with his

parents and siblings Marie and William. Crawford was listed as being a student at college while his father, then aged forty-two was recorded as being a Commercial Traveller in Ladies shirts. The family also had a domestic servant, a local girl called Rosa Stracey, aged eighteen.

Lieutenant Crawford Cunningham Gadsden enlisted and served in the 1st/4th Battalion of
the Royal West Surrey Regiment which was attached to the 101st Squadron RFC (bombing). Crawford gained his Aviators Certificate on 16 December 19165. On the night of 15 October 1917, he flew only his second sortie, in aeroplane B405 on a night bombing raid from Clairmarais airfield, just outside of St Omer but crashed soon after take off. The plane caught fire. Badly wounded, Crawford was taken to a nearby hospital and died of his wounds on 16 October 1917, aged 20. He was buried in the Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. Plot 4, row E, grave 50. Register Index Number Fr.134