1805 Info 3g_1 for John Crompton
The early life of Captain John Crompton (Jack) - page 1 of 4
His life
From his attestation papers, Jack is described as being 5' 8½ and
146lbs with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair and a mole on his right
shoulder. He had a 36 inch chest, which expanded by four inches. He was identified as a
member of the Church of England. On 15 September 1914, at his medical in Scarborough,
he was passed fit for service: he could see the required distance having 6/6 vision in
both eyes: his heart and lungs were healthy with free use of his joints and limbs and was
not subject to fits of any description. He was vaccinated in 1905.
Right: John Crompton - aged 18 before he went in the army
John Crompton, known as Jack, was born at the family farm home of Well Close,
Lowthorpe on 06 May 1893. (GRO ref: Driffield 9d 353)
Left: Well Close farm house, Lowthorpe from the drive Author:
22 October 2010
1805info3g_1, sheet 2
Right: The side entrance of Well Close farm house, Lowthorpe from the
drive Author: 22 December 2007
Above: The 1909 OS map showing Well Close Farm in
Lowthorpe
Initially Jack enlisted in the Old Public School and University Men Corps based in Scarborough
before being transferred to Royal Fusiliers. This suggest he attended a public school, which may
have been Bridlington Grammar School where Harry was being educated as a border in 1911 and was
likely to have entered Oxford and Cambridge examinations.
1805info3g_1, sheet 3
Above: Jack Crompton's matriculation paper from the
University of Oxford and Cambridge board from July 1909 at the age of 16. His First Class
success tends towards his choice of accountancy as a career and his success in French,
perhaps being useful when at the front as adjutant. As the presentation of this
certificate was requested by his attestation board, there is no evidence that Jack took
further examinations.
Given that his attestation papers, dated Scarborough 15 September 1914 when he was 21 years
old, Jack lists his 'calling' as an accountant apprenticed to J Golding of Beverley, who
had given him permission to enlist. The apprenticeship was either three years University plus two
tears as an apprentice or five years as an apprentice. It is unlikely he attended a university.
Since Jack was still an apprentice in September 1914 it is unlikely he joined the firm straight
after school. This education and career probably accounted for this commission. Keyy's 1913
Directory records a John Goulding as accountant for the East Riding, based in County Hall on Cross
Street, Beverley. 1
1805info3g_1, sheet 4
1901 Census Sun/Mon 31st March/1st April 1901
Source: FHL Film TNA Ref RG13
Piece: 4518; Folio: 44; Page: 11; Sched: 84
Dwelling: Driffield Road
Place: Nafferton, Yorks ER, England
Name Rel Mar Age Occupation Status Birthplace
Thomas Crompton Head M 33 Farmer Employer Yorks, Lowthorpe
Mary Ellen Crompton Wife M 36 Yorks, Driffield
John Crompton Son 7 Yorks, Nafferton
Marjory Crompton Dau 5 Yorks, Nafferton
Harry Crompton Dau 4 Yorks, Nafferton
Edith Crompton Dau 3 Yorks, Nafferton
Jane E Dunnington Serv S 22 Cook (Domestic) Yorks, Southburn
Florence Nobel Serv S 14 Housemaid (Domestic) Yorks, Southburn
1911 Census: Sun/Mon 2nd April/3rd April 1911
Source: TNA Ref: RG14 PN
Reg. Gen. Ref: 525 RG78 PN 28860; En.Dist: 05; Sched: 136
RegDist: 525 SubDist: Driffield
Dwelling: West Field [West Gate]
Place: Nafferton, Driffield, Yorkshire East Riding
Rooms in dwelling, other than scullery, landing, lobby, closet, bathroom: 11
Years married: 20
Children: Alive 5, dead 1
Name Rel Mar Age Occupation Status Birthplace
Thomas Crompton Head M 43 Farmer Employer Yorks, Lowthorpe
Mary Ellen Crompton Wife M 46 Yorks, Driffield
John Crompton Son S 17 Articled clerk to Yorks, Nafferton
Accountant
Edith Crompton Dau 13 Yorks, Nafferton
Katherine Crompton Dau 7 Yorks, Nafferton
Charles Crompton Son 4 Yorks, Nafferton
Gertrude Collingwood Serv S 19 Cook Yorks, Nafferton
Hilda Patrick Serv S 18 Housemaid Yorks, Middleton on the Wold
At this time Jack's sister Marjory had died Marjory died 23rd June 1902 aged 7 years three days
before her brother Harry's sixth birthday, from food poisoning after eating berries. Harry was
boarding at Bridlington Grammar School.
Westfield, the Family home in the 1911 census.
Left: A period photograph of Westfield, Nafferton with members of the
family on the lawn
1805info3g_1, sheet 5
Right: Westfield Farm, Driffield Road, Nafferton Author: June 2003
