Crawford, William Hugh
SURNAME
Crawford
NAME
William Hugh
PLACE OF BIRTH
Brisbane
OCCUPATION
Sugar chemist
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT
Ayr
DATE OF ENLISTMENT
14-01-1915
NEXT OF KIN
Sen. T W Crawford (father) Brie Brie
LINK TO DOUGLAS SHIRE
Family farm (Brie Brie)
REGIMENT 1
11th Light Horse
RANK
Trooper
CAMPAIGN 1
Middle East
DATE DISCHARGED
31-05-17
OTHER INFORMATION
Military medal, Mention in Despatches, plus the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal
STORY OUTLINE
William Hugh Crawford was a son of TW (Thomas) Crawford and Emily Crawford of 'Brie Brie' Mossman. When TW Crawford, later Senator Crawford, became fully engaged in sugar affairs and political life, Hugh managed Brie Brie. But war intervened. Hugh enlisted in January 1915 at the age of 25. He was assigned to the 11th Light Horse, joining troops who had survived Gallipoli to engage in the defence of the Suez Canal, achieved by July 1916. In ensuing months, the 11th conducted patrols and participated in several forays into the Sinai Desert. During one of these engagements, Hugh's gallantry earned a Military Medal. The citation stated: 'Trooper William Hugh Crawford, 11th Light Horse Regiment, at Mageibra on the 10th August 1916. For bandaging and carrying out Trooper McCay after his comrades and horse had gone. He finally got away with considerable difficulty under fire. He showed great courage and coolness.' He received mention in General Murray's Despatches of 13th October. However, Hugh saw little service after that. Dangerously ill, he was hospitalised on 16 November with appendicitis, then transferred back to Australia on 16 March 1917 and discharged 'debilitated' on 31 May. After the war, Hugh returned to Brie Brie and was a successful farm manager. He married Adna Maud Martin, a nurse, raising children Judith and Ann. He was the first president of the Mossman RSL and continued Light Horse activities with the Voluntary Defence Corps, even signing up for World War II in May 1942 at age 52.
SERVICE NO
307
