Private William Crosby
William Crosby was born in the Drogheda Union Workhouse, County Louth, on 13 December 1899, son of labourer Bridget Crosby.
Crosby enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 11 and 26 June 1917 (regimental number between 2493 and 2505 – later Corps of Hussars No.71869) (although one record suggests he enlisted a year earlier).
He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France in 1917 or 1918. There he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment. This regiment served as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps from its establishment in May 1916 until February-March 1918, when it was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. This meant a 25 per cent reduction in the regiment's numbers, and it is possible that at this time Crosby was attached to a Dragoons regiment.
On 1 March 1919 at La Rochette Crosby re-enlisted, in 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) (regimental number 31742 – later Army number 391355). He was discharged on 5 July 1922, having reached the rank of corporal. His military character was recorded as 'exemplary'.
On his discharge he gave his intended address as 3 Off Summer Street, near Ormskirk, Lancashire. At the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 67 Summer Street, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, with his wife Harriet (née Nicholl) and child Thomas, and working as a general labourer.