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Francis CROSSLEY

Main CPGW Record

Surname: CROSSLEY

Forename(s): Francis

Place of Birth: Bacup, Lancashire

Service No: 28345

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion

Division: 8th Division

Age: 20

Date of Death: 1916-10-25

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 2 A 2 C and 2 D.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Francis Crossley was the son of James William and Mary Jane Crossley, née Wilkinson. James was born at Shawforth and Mary at Newchurch, Lancashire.

1901 Bacup, Lancashire Census: 1a, Beaver Terrace - Francis Crossley, aged 5 years, born Bacup, son of James W. and Mary J. Crossley.

1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 15, Denton Street - Francis Crossley, aged 15 years, born Bacup, Lancashire, son of James W. and Mary Jane Crossley.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Francis Crossley, 28345, W. York. R. K. in A. 25.10.16.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Francis Crossley, 28345, 2nd W. York. R. Killed in Action 25.10.16.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Francis Crossley, 28345, 2nd Bn W. Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 25.10.16. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father and Sole Legatee - James W. £6 9s. 7d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Francis. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr James William Crossley. Relationship: Father. Address: 15, Denton Street, Barnoldswick.

A short biography of Francis is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

CROSSLEY, Francis, aged 20, West Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Crossley, 15, Denton Street, [Barnoldswick], killed in action Oct. 5, 1916.

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Private Francis CROSSLEY

Private Francis CROSSLEY

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 8th Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 8th Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: CROSSLEY

Forename(s): Francis

Born: Barnoldswick, Yorks

Residence:

Enlisted: Barnoldswick, Yorks

Number: 28345

Rank: Private

Regiment: Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 25/10/16

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: CROSSLEY

Forename(s): Francis

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 28345

Rank: Private

Regiment: West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

Unit: 2nd Bn.

Age: 20

Awards:

Died Date: 25/10/1916

Additional Information: Son of James W. and Mary J. Crossley, of 15 Denton St., Barnoldswick. Yorks.

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View Additional Text For Soldier Records

BRITISH BATTALIONS ON THE SOMME, by Ray Westlake (Pen & Sword Books Limited 1994)

2nd Bn. Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Attack on Zenith Trench (23/10) – ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies moved forward to Spectrum Trench and captured Zenith Trench. Relieved and to Bernafay Wood during night (30/10). War Diary notes fighting strength upon going into action on (23/10) as 437. Casualties by (30/10) – 220, over 200 of these suffered by ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies while holding the line.

[Francis Crossley was killed on the 25th October 1916.]

View Additional Image(s)

Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records

Ghyll Undenominational Burial Ground, Barnoldswick

Ghyll Undenominational Burial Ground, Barnoldswick

Family gravestone

Ghyll Undenominational Burial Ground, Barnoldswick

Ghyll Undenominational Burial Ground, Barnoldswick

Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

24 November 1916

CROSSLEY – October 25, 1916, killed in action in France, Pte. Francis Crossley, West Yorkshire Regiment, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Crossley, 15, Denton Street, Barnoldswick, aged 20 years.

24 November 1916

MORE BARLICKIANS PAY THE PRICE – PRIVATE FRANCIS CROSSLEY: Five Sons in the Army

Private Francis Crossley, West Yorkshire Regiment, whose death was officially notified by the same post, was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Crossley, 15, Denton Street, Barnoldswick. Twenty years of age, he was the youngest of five sons in the Army, and the only one who had been to the Front, the remaining four being in the R.A.M.C. Pte. Crossley was killed in action on October 25th, after being in France two months. He was called up in April last and received his training at Blyth (Northumberland). He was formerly a weaver at Messrs. J. Nutter and Sons, Bankfield Shed.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

24 November 1916

CROSSLEY – October 25th, in France, Private Francis Crossley, of the R.A.M.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Crossley, of 15, Denton Street, Barnoldswick, aged 20.

24 November 1916

MORE ‘BARLICKERS’ LOSE THEIR LIVES – Two From the Same Street

Private Francis Crossley, West Yorkshire Regiment, whose death was officially notified by the same post, was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Crossley, 15, Denton Street, Barnoldswick. Twenty years of age, he was the youngest of five sons in the Army, and the only one who had been to the Front, the remaining four being in the R.A.M.C. Pte. Crossley was killed in action on October 25th, after being in France two months. He was called up in April last, and received his training at Blyth (Northumberland). He was formerly a weaver at Messrs. J. Nutter and Sons, Bankfield Shed.

26 November 1917

CROSSLEY – In loving memory of Pte. Frank Crossley, who was killed in France, Oct. 25th, 1916, aged 20 years.

When last we saw his smiling face,
He seemed so strong and brave;
We little thought how soon he’d be
Laid in a soldier’s grave.

– From Mr. and Mrs. Crossley and Family, 15, Denton Street, Barnoldswick.

01 November 1918

In ever loving memory of Frank Crossley, who was killed in action in France, Oct. 25th, 1916.

Not dead to us, we loved him dear:
Not lost, but gone before;
He lives with us in memory still,
And will for ever more.

– From Father, Mother, Sister, and Brother (in France). 15, Denton Street, Barnoldswick.

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