Victor Hugh Crack

A Private with 7th Bn., Victor died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 24. 

Victor was born at Lowestoft in 1892, a son of Joseph and Florence Crack. In 1901 his family lived at 9, The Street, Lound, where is father had a grocery and draper's shop. In 1911 they were still living at 9 The Street, and Victor was working in his father's business. 

Before enlisting in the Army, Victor worked for the Post Office. 

Victor enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, number 24707, and was posted to the 7th Battalion in France. 

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

10 October 1916
Relieved 11th Middlesex in Bulls Runs, near Flers, four companies in front line.
12 October 1916
Attack to be made on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhoff Farm. Morning very quiet.
5 a.m. Battalion lying in shell holes in front ready.
10 a.m. Major Henty went forward to advance Battalion Headquarters in Grass Street to receive reports.
2 p.m. Zero. Attack started. German barrage very intense. Battalion proceeded in four waves, each company with a platoon front.
No definite report until 6 p.m. when Battalion was back in front line having failed to attain objective.
B and D Companies gained objective, but were driven out by superior numbers.
1st Essex on right gained objective but were unable to hold it, finally and they managed to keep part of it.
Battalion withdrew to reserve in Flers Trench. 

Colonel Murphy, in history of the Suffolk Regiment, felt that the attack failed because the enemy wire had only partially been destroyed and that the British barrage was ineffective.

All fifteen officers that went over the top became casualties: eleven killed and four wounded. Ninety two other ranks were killed and, in total, the Battalion had over 500 casualties.  

Victor was reported missing on 12 October and it was not until September 1917 that he was officially concluded to have died on 12 October. His body had been found and buried at map reference 57.C.N.20.B.5.1 and in 1921 he was reburied at Beaulencourt. 

Daniel's name is recorded in the General Post Office Memorial Book. See GPO War Heroes