Croudace, Hugh Tuke (Bobbie)
Dr. Hugh Tuke Croudacem son of Dr. W. H. H. Croudace of Pietmaritzburg was killed at Sidi Rezergh on November 23, 1941. He was 32 years of age, and at the time of his death was serving as a captain in the 11th F.A. He qualified M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. Lond. in 1933 and was Assistant Medical Officer at the Crown Mines Native Hospital.
Lieut.-Col. Melzer, commanding 11th F.A. writes: “ Bobbie had been associated with this unit since his arrival in East Africa. We had always found him an excellent and reliable officer and his pleasant disposition made him very popular with officers and men. His death was a great blow to us, and his memory will always be one of our treasured possessions.”
Col. T. Dobbs, of the S.A. Irish Regiment writes:- “ Bobbie came to the S.A. Irish Regiment a few days after the regiment was mobilised in June 1940, and remained with it till September, 1941, when he went to the 11th F.A. that was attached to the 5th Brigade. We were all very sorry to part with him, for during the 15 months he had been with us – first training in the Union and then in Kenya, Abyssinia and Egypt – he had done splendid work all through and everything he could possibly do for the medical care of those in his charge. When he left us, we were glad that he was not going far, and we still had a good deal to see of him. ‘ Butch’ , as he had come to be known affectionately by us, was not only very popular with his brother officers, but also held in high esteem by other ranks, to whom he always gave of his best. That he was sorry to leave us I know well, and I am sure he was as happy with the Irish as conditions could allow. His brother Gerald had previously been killed on active service towards the close of the Abyssinian Campaign.
South African Medical Journal 25/07/1942
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Croudace |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Hugh Tuke (Bobbie) |
| Date of birth | 31.08.1909 |
| Family details | Grandfather, W. D. Croudace, “ The Vicarage” , Eastgate, Co. Durham |
| Previous education | Hilton College, Natal, South Africa |
| College | Guy's Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1927-1933 |
| Dept / course | London M.B., B.S. |
| Qualifications | M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. London 1933 |
| Military unit | South African Medical Corps, 11th Field Ambulance |
| Service number | 30272 |
| War / conflict | World War Two (1939-1945) |
| Date of death | 23 November 1941 |
| Age at death | 32 |
| Rank at death | Captain |
| Place of death | Battle of Sidi Rezergh, Egypt |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Burial place | Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma |
| Commemoration(s) | Guy’ s War Memorial |
| Notes | In 1939 he was living at 339 Loopstreet, Maritzburg, Natal, South Africa |
| Sources | Guy’ s Hospital Medical School Records, King’ s College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; South African Medical Journal |