More about William Crawford

William has no known grave but is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial. He had 2 brothers who also served during the Great War, Leading Stoker David Crawford 311339, H.M.S. “Recruit” who was lost at sea 1st May, 1915 and C.S.M. John Crawford 11794/29664, of the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry. Williams 2nd brother died due to drowning in the River Tay.

For more information on William, visit William’s Memorial and William’s Service Record and Circumstances of Death Register

There are references to William in the local Dundee Newspapers held in Dundee Central Library.

Advertiser 25/06/1915 page 11 and the Courier 25/06/1915 page 6.

DUNDEE FAMILY HARD HIT BY THE WAR. ONE SON DROWNED, ONE KILLED, AND ANOTHER WOUNDED. A Dundee family has been heavily stricken by the war, two sons having lost their lives and another having been wounded. They are: – Leading Stoker David Crawford, of H.M.S. Recruit (drowned); Private William Crawford, a member of the 4th Battalion Canadians (killed in action); and Private John Crawford, of the 1st Highland Light Infantry (wounded).
Stoker David, who was 25 years of age, went down with his ship in the North Sea on 1st May. He served in the navy for eight years.
Private William was killed in action on 23d April, and was 24 years of age. He had seen three years’ service in the Canadians, and was employed in a steel factory in Ontario, where he went several years ago. While in Dundee he was employed at the West Station as a goods porter.
Private John, who is 22 years of age, was wounded on 12th March by a piece of shell, which struck him on the right cheek. He has been attached to his regiment for about four years.
Mrs Crawford, who resides at 10 South George Street, Dundee, has received the official intimation. The Courier, Friday, 25 June 1915, 6.