Royal Crawford was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on December 28, 1898. NOTE: Ontario Birth Records list his birth date as Dec 28, 1896, but his Military records list his birh date as Dec 28, 1898. Royal was the son of George J.A. Crawford and Lomila Katharine (nee Stafford) Crawford, of 323 Christina Street, later 279 Russell Street, and then 110 Victoria Street, Sarnia. His siblings included: Robert Palmer (see above), Grace, Murtle and Devora. Prior to enlisting, Roy was employed in the office staff of the Imperial Oil Company. Royal enlisted with the 33rd Battalion on May 10, 1915, in London, Ontario. A bachelor at the time, he recorded his occupation as a clerk. He trained in London and went overseas with the 33rd Battalion in March 1916, as a corporal. In England, he trained and caught a draft of the 1st Canadian Battalion, cheerfully reverting to Private in order to get to the firing line with more dispatch. He arrived in France in the latter part of September 1916.

Upon his arrival on French soil, the first news that he received was that of his brother Robert, who had been killed on September 12, 1916, a few days prior to Royal’s arrival in France. This was a severe blow to young Royal, who was welcomed to the front line with the news of his brother’s death in action. Royal would go on to earn his commission on the field, first being promoted to Lance Corporal. In June 1917, Roy Crawford sent a letter home to his mother, Mrs. G. Crawford in Sarnia. The following is a portion of that letter:

Dear Mother,

I am well and getting along alright. Hope the folks are all well over there. The weather still continues fine and that is a great thing here. The country looks very nice just now only they have a nasty habit of blowing the scenery into little bits every now and then. But I guess we can stand it if Fritz can…. Hope this is soon over, so we won’t have to do much writing. By the way, you can address my letters to Lance-Corporal Crawford now….                        Roy

Roy was later promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant. In December 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery. The award reads, “At Passchendaele on Nov 6th 1917 this N.C.O. immediately took command of the platoon when his Platoon Commander was killed during the early stages of the attack. This N.C.O. succeeded in capturing and consolidating the portion of the objective allotted to his platoon. After the objective had been gained he acted as C.S.M. the Coy S.M. having become a casualty, and rendered invaluable services in consolidating position gained. By his courage and skill he assisted greatly in keeping up the spirit of the men. Although wounded he remained on duty until the Company was relieved.”

His superiors, recognizing his worth, recommended him for a commission, and on February 5th, 1918, he went to England to begin his course to fit him for a commissioned officer’s post. He took out his commission on August 6th, 1918, and rejoined his old unit, the “Fighting First” Battalion. In early September 1918, Roy’s mother Lomila Crawford in Sarnia, would receive her son’s Military Medal, won for bravery on the field, bringing her great joy and pride. On September 13th, 1918, Roy Crawford was wounded in action. He was sent to a hospital in England where he recovered, and then he returned to action. On October 1st, 1918, as a Lieutenant with the Canadian Infantry, Western Ontario Regiment, 1st Battalion, Royal Crawford would lose his life while fighting during Canada’s final Hundred Days Campaign at Agincourt, France.

In mid-October 1918, word of Roy’s death had not reached home in Sarnia. The Sarnia Observer printed an article on the two Crawford boys, noting that Robert had already made the supreme sacrifice. For Roy; it reported on his rise in the ranks, on his wounding and recovery, and on the Military medal that he was awarded. It also stated:

… Sarnia is proud of Lieut. Crawford, as it has every reason to be. Going to the front he has worked his way from the rank and file to the commissioned officers’ ranks, and if his past history is any criterion of what his future is to be, the young hero has not by any means reached the apex of his military career.

Previously to enlistment Roy was employed on the office staff on the Imperial Oil Company, where he has many friends, who are glad to hear of his successes in the war and hope for the return of his strength to enable him to carry on in the heroic way he has to date.

His mother received his Military Medal a few days ago and is justly proud of the honor her son has brought on her home.

A few days after the above article appeared in the Observer, Roy’s mother would receive a telegram informing her that her son, Lieut. Roy Bruce Crawford, was officially reported wounded and missing October 1st. A few days later, she would receive another telegram, this one informing her that her son, Royal Bruce Crawford, who had been previously reported missing and wounded, is now reported killed in action, date of casualty, October 1st, 1918. For mother Lomila Crawford, this was her second son lost in the war. Royal Crawford would later be officially listed as, Previously reported wounded and missing, now killed in action. Was killed by machine gun bullets through the abdomen and one lung. Vicinity of Blecourt. Twenty-year old Royal Crawford is buried in Sancourt British Cemetery, Nord, France, Grave I.C.19.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G