James CRAWFORD
Per his military service record (regimental no. 4753), James Crawford was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He gave his age as 38 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as farmer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall, weight 11 stone 7 lbs., with a fair complexion, bluish grey eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Anglican. He completed his medical on the 8th October 1915 at Gilgandra and was attested by Captain Nicholas on the 9th October 1915 at Gilgandra. He claimed to have had no previous military service. His surname looks like “Crowford” in his signature.
After completing the march he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Gilgandra, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as mother, Mrs E. Crawford, Hull Head, Castle Fern, Donegal, Ireland.
Private Crawford departed Sydney on the HMAT Star of England on the 8th March 1916. He arrived in Egypt on the 11th of April 1916.
On the 7th of June 1916 Private Crawford left Alexandria aboard the Transport Ionian bound for France, arriving at Marseille on the 14th of June 1916.
On the 31st August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme the 13th Battalion was being relieved from the vicinity of Mouquet Farm, France when he received a gunshot wound to his back. Private Crawford was evacuated to the 49th Casualty Clearing Station, where he died of his wounds on the 3rd September 1916.
He is buried in the Contay British Cemetery, France.
James Crawford’s headstone, Contay British Cemetery, France (Photograph: H. Thompson 4/9/2014)
Private Crawford’s name is commemorated on panel 68 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.
His name is also listed on the Cooee March Memorial Park Gateway (Gilgandra).
1915 Coo-ee March 