Mar 6, 1894

Born at Buckland Monachorum, Devon England

Feb 19, 1915

Attested into the 39^th Battalion at Cobourg Ontario 

Ø      Number 412353

Ø      Next of kin given as John Crossman (father) of Niagara Falls Ontario

o       Later changed to read Bessie Crossman (mother) of Niagara Falls Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Mar 30, 1915

Appointed to rank of Acting Sgt

Apr 16, 1915

Admitted to Belleville Hospital with Tonsillitis

May 1, 1915

Discharged to duty

Jun 17, 1915

Embarked the RMS Missanabie at Montreal Quebec

Jul 4, 1915

Disembarked at Plymouth England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe Kent 

Shortly after arrival in England, they were designated as the 39^th Reserve Battalion, and used to supply reinforcements to the fighting battalions in France

Nov 11, 1915

Promoted to rank of Sgt

May 10, 1916

Appointed as Acting Company Quartermaster Sgt, “B” Company

Jan 4, 1917

Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe 

During the summer of 1917, the 6^th Reserve Battalion moved to Seaford

Jan 12, 1917

Promoted to rank of Warrant Officer Class 1, and appointed as RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major)

Jun 17, 1917

On Command to Hertford for the RSM’s course

Jul 9, 1917

Rejoined Battalion from RSM’s course

Oct 17, 1917

Reverts to rank of Sgt at own request in order to proceed to France 

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 18, 1917

Arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 22, 1917

Arrived at CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Nov 29, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion had been relieved that day by the 18^th Battalion and had just moved into Brigade Reserve at the Suburban Camp 

A later medical record shows that he was in “D” Company

Apr 29, 1918           From the 21^st Battalion War Diary

For the above action, Sgt Crossman was recommended to receive the Military Medal

Jun 3, 1918

Received shrapnel wounds in right arm, right leg and face and admitted to the 2/1 London Field Ambulance, then transferred same day to the No 57 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) where right arm was amputated

Jun 5, 1918

Transferred via No 17 AT (Ambulance Transport)

Jun 6, 1918

Admitted to No 3 General Hospital at Le Treport

Jul 1, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

Jul 2, 1918

Admitted to the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital at Millbank, SW London 

Shrapnel removed from both legs

Aug 13, 1918

Transferred to Granville Canadian Special Hospital at Buxton

Aug 29, 1918

Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette #30873

Sep 1, 1918

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Sep 2, 1918

Returned to hospital from being AWL 

Forfeits 2 days pay for being absent

Sep 20, 1918

Discharged from hospital on being invalided to Canada aboard the Hospital Ship Neuralia, embarking at Liverpool

TOS No 2 District Depot, Toronto

Oct 1, 1918

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto Ontario

Oct 5, 1918

Granted leave with subsistence until October 21, 1918 

Address on leave 46 Victoria St, Niagara Falls Ontario

Oct 21, 1918

Admitted to Davisville Military Hospital, Toronto, for treatment of stump and measurement for artificial arm

Oct 31, 1918

Transferred to the Brant Military Hospital, Burlington, for convalescence while waiting for artificial arm

Nov 14, 1918

Transferred to No 1 District Depot, London Ontario and admitted to the Canadian Military Convalescent Hospital at Guelph

Nov 27, 1918

Transferred to No 2 District Depot Toronto, and admitted to the Whitby Convalescent Hospital

Nov 28, 1918

Noted in file that he is entitled to wear 4 blue service chevrons

Dec 13, 1918

Transferred to Base Hospital Toronto and placed on the Syphilis Register 

Admission form states that he was exposed to the disease at Hamilton Ontario on November 11

Jan 10, 1919

Discharged from Base Hospital for further treatment as an outpatient

Jan 15, 1919

Admitted to Whitby Military Hospital 

Noted that he has received artificial arm, and that a separate hook has been ordered

Feb 4, 1919

Received separate hook in addition to artificial arm

Mar 4, 1919

Discharged from hospital to No 2 District Depot, Casualty Company, Park School, Toronto

Mar 11, 1919

Discharged as Medically Unfit, at Toronto Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued, number 89902

Ø      War Service Badge Class “B” issued, number c53358

Ø      Discharged to custody of SCR (Soldier’s Civil Re-Establishment) for further treatment as an outpatient

Ø      Entitled to 183 days War Service Gratuity

Ø      Entitled to 1 Gold Stripe

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge – 46 Victoria St, Niagara Falls Ontario

Ø      Occupation listed as Railroad Section Man

Dec 16, 1922

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to 46 Victoria St, Niagara Falls Ontario

Jun 22, 1959

Deceased at Broadhempston, Devonshire England