Military History

Crossland did not enlist or embark in Australia
Embarked NA.
Roll Rank NA.
Roll Unit NA.
Crossland travelled independently to Cairo, Egypt, travelling from the Independent Malay States where he worked as Staff Surveyor for the FMS (? Foreign Military Sales) (Daily News 13.9.1916). On arrival in Cairo, he joined the 3rd Field Company Engineers. He was allocated to the Garrison Institute at Cairo 24.2.1916. He was allotted SN 599. Crossland became sick and was admitted to hospital with mumps 4.3.1916. On recovery, he entrained for Alexandria, joined British Expeditionary Force and embarked per HT ‘Kingstonian’ for Marseilles, France 3.4.1916. Crossland was allotted a new SN 5728. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 9.8.1916 and transferred to the 1st Field Company Engineers 13.8.1916. Crossland was KIA at Mouquet Farm 18.8.1916. His files noted that he was leading his section into action, when a shell burst in front, killing him instantly. He was purportedly buried in small Cemetery NNW of Contal Maison 3 ½ miles ENE of Albert and a temporary cross was erected. His remains were not located for reburial. His grave is unknown. However his name is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France.
Final Rank 2nd Lieutenant. 1st Field Company Engineers
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Sister at ‘Malleroy’, Parkes Rd., Artarmon, NSW.
Roydon Crossland lived with his parents in their new home ‘Riversleigh’ at 132 Swan St. His mother died 1903 (Western Mail 15.8.1903) and his father 1911 (Daily News 6.11.1911). He was reared by his grandmother and later his aunt with his siblings.
Crossland was about to receive his Lieutenancy prior to his death (Daily News 13.9.1916)
Photos 2nd Lieut. Royden Charles Crossland. Image source The West Australian 1.2.1917 p9
             3rd Field Company Engineers training in construction of Pontoon Bridges, Mena 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A0264
             Mouquet Farm 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00005
             Memorial to the Australian soldiers and officers who fell at Mouquet Farm and Pozieres 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P039001
             Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photogapher unknown, photograph source AWM  H17454

Information Source
AWM A0264. 3rd Field Company Engineers training in construction of Pontoon Bridges, Mena 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00005. Mouquet Farm 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P039001. Memorial to the Australian soldiers and officers who fell at Mouquet Farm and Pozieres 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photogapher unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial: Roll of Honour – Royden Charles Crossland
Daily News
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School War Memorial
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Crossland R C
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
St Matthew’s –Fallen
Western Mail
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories

132 Swan Street, Guildford, WA. (Remove this Childhood home)

Associated Images