CRACKNELL, Harry R

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             3rd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps                               
                                             15th Machine-Gun Company
                                             “H” Battery
SERVICE NO:                   401432
RESIDENCE:                    Clinton – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            January 30, 1893
                                             Norwich - England
DATE OF DEATH:           July 23, 1918                       25 years     5 months
CEMETERY:                     Bellacourt Military Cemetery – Bellacourt –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             III     B     12 
PARENTS:        Mr. Charles and Alice Cracknell – New Lakenham – Norwich - England
Occupation:                        Mill Labourer                       Religion:     Church of England
Enlistment:                         Clinton – August 10, 1915
Enlistment Age:                  22 years     6 months

Private Cracknell sailed from Halifax onboard the SS Lapland and he arrived in England on March 26, 1916.
During August of 1917, the 7th, 8th, 9th & 15th Companies were detached from their respective infantry brigades and formed the 7th, 8th, 9th & 15th Companies of the 3rd Canadian Divisional Machine Gun Battalion.
Then during the month of March 1918, the above Companies were reorganized into the 3rd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps.
Private Cracknell was admitted to No. 3 Divisional Rest Station on June 16, 1916 after being buried from the explosion of a shell and had been unconscious for a time and was suffering from headaches, pain in back and legs and in left chest and finds it difficult to walk. He was then admitted to Norfolk War Hospital and a Convalescent Hospital and returns to his unit in the field in November 1917. A week later he is wounded in the left leg and rejoins his unit on December 24, 1917.
The day had been showery. During the night hours there had been heavy night firing with machine guns in the line and the enemy seemed to be more active.
The Brigade had the coverage of the right of the front and they were positioned at Basseu.
As of July 19th,  “H” Battery consisted of 8 guns
Private Cracknell was performing gas guard duty at the entrance of a trench shelter when he lost his life from the explosion of an enemy shell.
The 3rd Canadian Division was to be relieved later in the day by the 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the 59th British Division.