Albert Crawford

Albert Crawford died from head injuries after his watch-box fell on him. He was found underneath the watch box and it was initially reported that foul play was suspected.

A 26-year-old man that had lived in Smyrke Road off Old Kent Road was arrested on suspicion of murdering him but the charge was later withdrawn. Albert Crawford had been a labourer and watchman and had been employed by Messers Dick, Kerr and Co on the work of electrifying the New Cross Road Tramway in Deptford between New Cross and Greenwich.

The man that was charged with his murder had been a fellow worker. It was heard that Albert Crawford and his fellow worker had been on particularly friendly terms and had even shared their supper on the night in question.

The fellow worker said that he had been with another man in a public-house in New Cross Road and that afterwards he had gone with Albert Crawford to the watch box in St James’s Road but that just after 10pm he left Albert Crawford for a few minutes and that when he came back he found him lying under the box. He said that he then shifted the box off of him and sent for a doctor and the police.

After the charge against the fellow workman was discontinued the inquest into Albert Crawford's death returned an open verdict stating that Albert Crawford died from injuries received by the box falling on him but that there was no evidence to show what had caused it to fall.

Albert Crawford had lived in Willow Walk Vale, Shepherd's Bush.