Eight: Company Sergeant Major W. G. F. Crosby, Royal Engineers, who served with the Railway Battalion, Sappers and Miners, during the Great War in East Africa; was wounded under fire at Tanga on 4 November 1914, when he voluntarily took a party ashore; and for his services in German East Africa was awarded the M.S.M.

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between first and second clasps (5087 Sapper W. George [sic]. Rl: Engineers.); 1914-15 Star (5087 Sjt. W. G. F. Crosby. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (5087 W.O. Cl.2. W. G. F. Crosby. R.E.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (5087 C.S.M. Crosby R.E., Rly. Bn., S. & M.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (5087 Sjt: - A.C.S. Mjr: - W. G. E. [sic] Crosby. R.E.) number officially corrected; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5087 Sjt. W. G. F. Crosby. R.E.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed as issued, mounted for wear in this order, contact marks and light edge bruising, small excess of solder to obverse field of BWM, generally nearly very fine (8) £600-£800

M.S.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918 (East Africa).

William George Frederick Crosby was born in Liverpool on 24 September 1879 and attested for the Royal Engineers under the name William George on 12 March 1900. He saw active served in South Africa during the Boer War with the 46th Field Company from 5 March 1901, and remained in South Africa following the cessation of hostilities. Retuning to the U.K. on 9 February 1906, he assumed his true name of William George Frederick Crosby on 9 April 1907, and was appointed Lance Corporal on 17 August 1908. Proceeding to India on 4 March 1910, for service with the 25th Railway Company, Sappers and Miners, he was promoted Corporal on 25 March 1911, and Sergeant on 25 September 1912, and whilst in India was present at the Delhi Durbar as part of the Sappers and Miners Contingent (confirmed on roll as being entitled to the Delhi Durbar Medal).

Crosby served with the Royal Engineers Railway Battalion, Sappers and Miners, during the Great War in East Africa from November 1914, and was wounded under fire at Tanga on 4 November 1914, when he voluntarily took a party ashore. He was promoted Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major) on 25 September 1917, and for his services in German East Africa was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Returning to India, he saw further service during the Third Afghan War, and was discharged on 11 September 1922, after 22 years’ service.

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