Crossman | George Lytton | | Lieutenant | CROSSMAN, GEORGE LYTTON, Lieutenant, was born 18 February 1877, son of Edward Crossman MD. He was educated at Radley College and at Sandhurst, and joined the Army, as a Second Lieutenant in the West Yorkshire Regiment, 20 February 1897. He was promoted Lieutenant 4 February 1899. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, as Staff Officer to Commandant and Railway Staff Officer, Frederickstad; took part in the operations in Natal, 1899; was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; in the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; also during operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900) and action at Pieter's Hill; in Natal, March to June, 1900, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); in the Transvaal, east and west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; again in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901, and 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "George Lytton Crossman, Lieutenant, The Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became Captain 26 May 1904; was Adjutant of the 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment from 1 November 1904 to 31 October 1907, and was Officer of a Company of Gentleman Cadets, Royal Military College, 26 January 1908 to 25 January 1912. Serving in the European War, Captain Crossman held the following Staff appointments, viz: Staff Captain, 21st Infantry Brigade, BEF, 13 November 1914 to 15 April, 1915; Brigade Major, 21st Infantry Brigade, BEF, British Armies in France, 16 April 1915 to 13 July 1916 (promoted to Major 1 September 1915); GSO2, 30th Division, British Armies in France, 14 July 1916 to 16 February 1917; GSO2, 7th Army Corps, British Armies in France, 17 February to 10 November 1917; GS01, Headquarters, Royal Flying Corps, British Armies in France, 11 November 1917 to 31 March, 1918; employed under the Air Ministry 1 to 11 April, 1918; GSO1, 59th Division, British Armies in France, 14 April to 20 September 1918; GSO1, 5th Army, British Armies in France, 21 September to 13 November 1918; GSO, No 1 Tank Group, British Armies in France, 14 November 1918 to 11 February 1919; GSO, GHQ, British Armies in France, 12 to 27 February 1919. He was created a CMG in 1916, and given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 3 June, 1918. Lieutenant Colonel Crossman married, in 1914, Julia Mary Anne, eldest daughter of Reverend J J Tapson, Vicar of Hooe, South Devon.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince of Wales's Own) West Yorkshire Regiment |