Feb 17, 1884

Born in Leicester, England to John and Jane Crossley

Sep 11, 1915

Attested into the 70^th Battalion in London, Ontario 

Ø      Number 123271

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Florence Edith Crossley, wife, 34 Palace Rd., London, Ontario

o       The address was later changed to read 23 Miles St., London, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Teamster

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “A” Company 

Apr 24, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 5, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool and the battalion proceeded to Shorncliffe to continue training

Jul 10, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling to continue training

Oct 4, 1916

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 5, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 132 reinforcements from England, and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 14, 1916

Left the CBD to join the battalion

Oct 16, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Divion, France

Dec 14, 1916

While on sentry duty in the front line trench number 223, he was accidentally shot in the back.  It was initially suspected as being self inflicted, but that was later dismissed. 

He was admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid

Dec 15, 1916

Transferred to the No. 32 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment and admitted to their special hospital section

Dec 31, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jan 1, 1917

Admitted to No. 5 CFA with problems resulting from his back wound

Jan 3, 1917

Transferred to the No. 4 CFA CRS (Canadian Rest Station)

Jan 11, 1917

Discharged to duty from the rest station

Mar 23, 1917

Sent to the No. 2 CFA for an eye exam and returned to the battalion the same day

Apr 16, 1917

After receiving shrapnel wounds to his right leg and fingers, he was admitted to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne

Apr 18, 1917

Transferred to the No. 7 Convalescent Depot, Boulogne, for recuperation

Apr 30, 1917

Transferred to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot in Ecault to continue his recovery

May 11, 1917

Discharged to the #3 Rest Camp

May 14, 1917

Joined the CBD in the Rouelles Camp

Jun 5, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Coupigny

Aug 15, 1917

After first being reported as Missing in Action, Private Crossley’s body was recovered and given a proper battlefield burial.  When the war had ended, the Graves Registration Commission exhumed his remains and reburied him in the Bully Grenay Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

Following the war British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs., F.E. Docherty, 236 Bridge Ave., Windsor, Ontario