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Private Harold Stanley Crossen

Description

TitlePrivate Harold Stanley CrossenAlternative NameStanleySummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionHarold Stanley, known locally as Stanley, was born on 7th August 1892 at Brookside, third son of William and Mary Anne Crossen. He was educated at the Brookside School, and after leaving school worked in Dunsandel. At the time of enlisting he was working in the North Island for Nelson Brothers Freezing Works in Gisborne. He had previous military experience having served with the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. He was 5ft 6¼in tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

He enlisted on 15 December 1915 at Trentham and was assigned to the 11th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment. In March 1916 he received a send-off from Dunsandel while spending his final leave with his family. He embarked on 1 April 1916 bound for Suez, arriving 3 May only to leave again after a few weeks on 27 May for France and the Western Front on board the Manitou. He was admitted to hospital in Etaples with acute bursitis of his knee on 15 June, being discharged to Base Depot at Etaples on 6 July. He rejoined his unit at Armentières on 18 July only to be killed in action a couple of months later on 25 September 1916, aged 24. This is the day the New Zealand Division were involved in the attack on Morval. Stanley’s name is recorded on the Caterpillar Valley Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand Stanley is remembered on the Irwell Plaque of the Ellesmere County Memorial and the Dunsandel Memorial.
First NameStanley HaroldLast NameCrossenFamilySingleSon of William and Mary Ann Crossen, of 39, Walker St., Christchurch.Date of Birth7 August 1892Place of BirthBrookside, CanterburyDate of Death25 September 1916Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death24

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageDunsandel War MemorialLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryCaterpillar Valley Memorial to the MissingDunsandel War MemorialEllesmere County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingWorked at the Freezing Works
Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details15th December 1915 at TrenthamService Number6/4228 Embarkation1st April 1916CountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private Harold Stanley Crossen