Lawrence Edward Crawford
Lawrence Crawford joined the British Army in 1939 as a TA volunteer with the Green Howards during the outbreak of WW2.
He embarked for France with the BEF in January 1940 and fought through France during the early months of the war.
For his actions during the evacuation at Dunkirk, he was recomended for a gallantry medal which was to be demoted to a Mention in Despatches for his efforts.
As with many servicemen of his generation my grandfather did not speak openly about his actions nor very often.
During the run up to the evacuation at Dunkirk he made his way out into the surrounding areas under the cover of darkness and rounded up stragglers, shepherding them to a small church basement ready for the eventual evacuation. He did this for several nights running and it is our belief that his MID is connected to these actions in some way. Unfortunately I have not been able to find the exact citation as of yet.
Family stories also mention him shooting down a german aircraft whilst on the beaches of Dunkirk. Lawrence was a Bren gunner in the 4th Batt Green Howards so this is quite plausible and again may have some connection to his MID.
He embarked for France with the BEF in January 1940 and fought through France during the early months of the war.
For his actions during the evacuation at Dunkirk, he was recomended for a gallantry medal which was to be demoted to a Mention in Despatches for his efforts.
As with many servicemen of his generation my grandfather did not speak openly about his actions nor very often.
During the run up to the evacuation at Dunkirk he made his way out into the surrounding areas under the cover of darkness and rounded up stragglers, shepherding them to a small church basement ready for the eventual evacuation. He did this for several nights running and it is our belief that his MID is connected to these actions in some way. Unfortunately I have not been able to find the exact citation as of yet.
Family stories also mention him shooting down a german aircraft whilst on the beaches of Dunkirk. Lawrence was a Bren gunner in the 4th Batt Green Howards so this is quite plausible and again may have some connection to his MID.
4th Battallion Green Howards
After his return from the BEF and his fortunate evacuation at Dunkirk, he continued to serve with the 4th Green Howards leading up to their embarkation for North Africa where the Battalion were to face off with Rommels forces.
He was granted leave in December 1940 and left to join his parents at the home farm in Brompton North Yorks. During this home visit he was to be involved in a life changing accident. A hay fork fell off the back of a trailor and sliced his Achille's tendon resulting in him being medically downgraded and unable to serve with his battalion in North Africa.
The 4th Green Howards were to be decimated by Rommels forces with the majority of the survivors being taken prisoner.
He was granted leave in December 1940 and left to join his parents at the home farm in Brompton North Yorks. During this home visit he was to be involved in a life changing accident. A hay fork fell off the back of a trailor and sliced his Achille's tendon resulting in him being medically downgraded and unable to serve with his battalion in North Africa.
The 4th Green Howards were to be decimated by Rommels forces with the majority of the survivors being taken prisoner.
70th (YS) KOYLI. (Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry)
Lawrence married his childhood sweetheart on 18th Dec 1940, just before his accident, and was transferred to the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in February 1941; where he was engaged in training young recruits and conscripted soldiers around the Grimsby & Cleethorpes area.
He quickly rose through the ranks, being promoted from Lance Cpl in March 1940 to WO II (RSM) on 1 Feb 1942.
WO II Crawford served with the 70th KOYLI for two years before being recomended for officer training. During this time he was preparing and training soldiers for the future invasion of France - D Day.
He quickly rose through the ranks, being promoted from Lance Cpl in March 1940 to WO II (RSM) on 1 Feb 1942.
WO II Crawford served with the 70th KOYLI for two years before being recomended for officer training. During this time he was preparing and training soldiers for the future invasion of France - D Day.
OCTU Aldershot 1943
His service continued back home in Blighty and he made his way through the ranks until he undertook officer training in January 1943.
2nd Lt Lawrence Crawford - back row, fourth from the left.
Also included in this photo is Lt Graham Cuthbertson who was to be posted to the Northern Rhodesia Regiment with Lt Crawford. They fought together through Burma and remained friends after the war.
2nd Lt Lawrence Crawford - back row, fourth from the left.
Also included in this photo is Lt Graham Cuthbertson who was to be posted to the Northern Rhodesia Regiment with Lt Crawford. They fought together through Burma and remained friends after the war.
10th Green Howards
Upon passing out from Officer training, the now 2nd Lt Crawford was transferred back to the Green Howards. This time to serve with the 10th where he volunteered to join the newly formed 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Regiment.
Lt Crawford completed his Parachute training course at RAF Ringway (Now part of Manchester airport) before engaging with the Battalion in advanced Infantry training.in preparation for the D Day Invasions.
Lt Crawford completed his Parachute training course at RAF Ringway (Now part of Manchester airport) before engaging with the Battalion in advanced Infantry training.in preparation for the D Day Invasions.
3rd Battalion Northern Rhodesia Regiment
In August 1943, the newly promoted 1st Lt Crawford was posted to join the Northern Rhodesia Regiment currently serving in the defence of Madagascar.
He took up his post with the 3rd Battalion who were to embark within a few short months for the far island of Ceylon for Jungle training and onwards into Burma to engage the Japanese in combat.
The 3rd Batt NRR were to become a part of the 22nd East African Brigade which served within the 15th Indian corps of the 14th Army.
The brigade began their operations in .
He took up his post with the 3rd Battalion who were to embark within a few short months for the far island of Ceylon for Jungle training and onwards into Burma to engage the Japanese in combat.
The 3rd Batt NRR were to become a part of the 22nd East African Brigade which served within the 15th Indian corps of the 14th Army.
The brigade began their operations in .
The brigade moved down the West coast of Burma from the Chittagong through to Akyab, Ru-ywa, Taungup, Prome, Rangoon, Taungou and on to Bawgalegyi near the Tailand border.
The newly promoted temporary Captain Crawford was now part of "D" Coy who alongside A Coy lead the majority of patrols in and around the Taungoup area.
excerpt from "The Story of the Northern Rhodesia Regiment- W.V.Brelsford, Government printer Lusaka 1954"
"It was decided by the Brigade commander to put in an attack on the Jap position using the 3rd Northern Rhodesia Regiment as a cut out force. The approach neccessitated a climb over a razorback ridge rising to 1000ft. It was 8 miles of extremely hard going, but the troops were in position within 36 hrs.
On the 13th April the enemy position was bombarded by Royal Air Force Hurribombers, followed by a heavy barrage put down by the artillery. During that night a platoon of enemy walked into an ambush laid by Dcompany of the 3rd NRR and the Japs suffered many casualties before escaping into the jungle. In this encounter a number of trophies were captured including a much prized Japanese officers sword. Several certificates of gallantry were awarded to askari during these operations"
The sword mentioned in the Regimental book was taken by Captain L.E. Crawford during the actions of that night, and is held with great esteem by the family along with the full story of how it was taken.
Captain Crawford always stated that the Japanese officer was an honerable man and held no malice nor disregard, it is now held by the family who remember both men involved in this small part of the battle with the highest of respect.
The newly promoted temporary Captain Crawford was now part of "D" Coy who alongside A Coy lead the majority of patrols in and around the Taungoup area.
excerpt from "The Story of the Northern Rhodesia Regiment- W.V.Brelsford, Government printer Lusaka 1954"
"It was decided by the Brigade commander to put in an attack on the Jap position using the 3rd Northern Rhodesia Regiment as a cut out force. The approach neccessitated a climb over a razorback ridge rising to 1000ft. It was 8 miles of extremely hard going, but the troops were in position within 36 hrs.
On the 13th April the enemy position was bombarded by Royal Air Force Hurribombers, followed by a heavy barrage put down by the artillery. During that night a platoon of enemy walked into an ambush laid by Dcompany of the 3rd NRR and the Japs suffered many casualties before escaping into the jungle. In this encounter a number of trophies were captured including a much prized Japanese officers sword. Several certificates of gallantry were awarded to askari during these operations"
The sword mentioned in the Regimental book was taken by Captain L.E. Crawford during the actions of that night, and is held with great esteem by the family along with the full story of how it was taken.
Captain Crawford always stated that the Japanese officer was an honerable man and held no malice nor disregard, it is now held by the family who remember both men involved in this small part of the battle with the highest of respect.