246851 A/Bdr. Ezra Crampton British Army 12th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery from:The Lye, Stourbridge, Worcestershire On the 10th of Decemeber 1915, Ezra Crampton was called to the Colours and attested into the Royal Garrison Artillery. He had been born in 1890 in Lye, Stourbridge, Worcs. He was immediately placed to the Army Reserve and on the 5th of Mar 1917, was mobised and posted to No. 3 Depot (Heavy and Siege) Royal Garrison Artillery, at Plymouth. Here he would have undergone his military induction before a posting to 16 Company, 398th Siege Battery, just over three weeks later. He was posted as a Gunner and undoubtedly underwent special-to-arms training with 398 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Ezra obviously gave an above average performance during this phase of his military service and was promoted Acting Lance Bombardier on the 15th of June 1917.
On the 28th of July 1917, Ezra was confined to barracks at Plymouth, indicating his deployment overseas was imminent. His wait was not protracted. On the 5 Aug 1917, Ezra was posted to France to serve with 12th Siege Batterym Royal Garrison Artillery, who had been deployed behind the front-line since the 8th Mar 1915. The battery were equipped with heavy Howitzers and their primary task was to destroy enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores.
Ezra served with 12th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery until the 17th of Nov 1917, when was evacuated back to England suffering from Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), apparently caused by the inhalation of toxins from poisonous gas, resultant from enemy action or from the burnt propellant of our own guns. On the 19th of Nov 1917, he was admitted to the University War Hospital, Southampton where he remained an in-patient until the 1st of Jan 1918. Ezra later appeared before the Medical Board and on the 11 Jun 1918, was considered 'no longer fit for war service' in accordance with para 392 xvi, King's Regulations (Army) 1912. His condition was attributed to War Service and Ezra was granted a small military pension.
He was discharged and returned to his wife Laura and home town of The Lye, Stourbridge, Worcestershire. Sadly, most of Ezra Crampton's Service Record was destroyed by fire.
He eventually became a haulage contractor and passed away in 1953.
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