Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of FRED THOMAS CRITCHER – From the Kitchener Public Library collection of World War One Soldier Information Cards. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of Fred Thomas Critcher – In memory of the men and women from the Waterloo area who went to war and did not come home. From the booklet, Peace Souvenir – Activities of Waterloo County in the Great War 1914 – 1918. From the Toronto Public Library collection. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.

Newspaper Clipping

Badge – Cap Badge 15th Bn (48th Highlanders of Canada). Submitted by Capt V Goldman, 15th Bn Memorial Project. DILEAS GU BRATH

Shoulder Patch – Shoulder Patch 15th Bn (48th Highlanders of Canada). Submitted by Capt V Goldman, 15th Bn Memorial Project. DILEAS GU BRATH

Badge – Cap Badge 34th Bn CEF. Lance Corporal Critcher enlisted with the 34th Bn but was transferred to the 15th Bn as a reinforcement. Submitted by Capt V Goldman, 15th Bn Memorial Project. DILEAS GU BRATH

Photo of FRED THOMAS CRITCHER – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Document – Part 2 Orders dated 30 April 1916 indicating transfer to the 15th Bn (48th Highlanders). Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team.

Circumstances of death registers – Source: Library and Archives Canada. CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH REGISTERS, FIRST WORLD WAR Surnames: CRABB TO CROSSLAND Microform Sequence 24; Volume Number 31829_B016733. Reference RG150, 1992-93/314, 168. Page 553 of 788

Waterloo Memorial Booklet – In memory of the men and women from the Waterloo area who went to war and did not come home. From the booklet, Peace Souvenir – Activities of Waterloo County in the Great War 1914 – 1918. From the Toronto Public Library collection. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.

Memorial Cross – A British Legion wooden poppy cross left on the grave of LCpl Critcher in August 2018 by his great nephew and photographed by members of the 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team doing field research in the area September 2018. Dileas Gu Brath.

Grave Marker – Photo by BGen G Young 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team Nov 2009

Preston War Memorial – Preston Ontario Cenotaph. Dedicated November 8, 1926. The names of Preston soldiers killed in the Second World War were added in 1949. Inscribed: IN HONOURED MEMORY OF THE MEN OF PRESTON WHO DIED IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN GRATEFUL TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SHARED ITS DANGERS.

Cemetery – Francis "Fred" Thomas Critcher (who was born February 1899) and lied about his age to enlist was born the son of Annie Hammond and Francis Samuel Groves (d. 1906) and emigrated to Canada in 1910 (and lived on Duke Street in Preston - now Waterloo, Ontario) as the "son" of Percy Critcher and Annie Groves (nee Hammond). Enlisted at the age of 16 (and lied to do so), and was wounded at Ypres in 1916; recovered and returned to active duty, he was killed in action on August 30, 1918, just 4 days after his Uncle Alfred James Barrett (172097) and was buried in the Sun Quarry Military Cemetery. Francis, known as both Fred and Frank, was just 18 years old. Left to mourn and survive were his mother Annie Critcher (she married Percy in 1918 when he enlisted), his sister Sarah Groves and brother Edwin Groves (all of Preston, Ontario).