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 BookEntry 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
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 8th Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Ghyll Undenominational Burial Ground, Barnoldswick
Family gravestone
Ghyll Undenominational Burial Ground, Barnoldswick
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
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
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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