CROSBIE, John

Rank: 
Private
Unit / Base: 
7 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
King's Own Scottish Borderers
Service: 
Army
Number: 
3190340
Died : 
Monday, May 26, 1941
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age: 
20
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Private John Crosbie died on or shortly after 26 May 1941 during operations in Crete. Son of James and Jessie Wemyss Crosbie, of Dumfries [1][1a]. Private Crosbie was 20 years of age. Before the war he was an apprentice with Mr .J. R. McKenzie, plasterer, Dumfries. He was a Territorial, and gave excellent service as a piper in the band" [2].
Extract from the Dumfries and Galloway Standard
Published Saturday 12 June 1943.
"Dumfries Commando Dies Of Wounds :-  James Crosbie, 32 Shakespeare Street, Dumfries, has received intimation from the War Office that his son, Pte. John Crosbie, K.O.S.B., who was reported as wounded and missing while serving as a Commando in Crete two years ago, must now be presumed to have died of wounds." "The letter states that Private Crosbie was last seen seriously wounded in action in Crete about 26th May, 1941. In view of that evidence and of the continued absence of any news of Private Crosbie since he was reported missing, the Department has regretfully reached the conclusion that Private Crosbie did not survive. It has consequently been recorded that he is presumed to have died of wounds on or about 26th May, 1941" [2]. 
In a previous letter which Mr Crosbie received from Captain Robert Gibb, under whom Private Crosbie served, Captain Gibb said, ‘As his troop leader I can assure you that he acquitted himself nobly throughout the action, and you have every reason to proud of him. He is an excellent soldier, willing and efficient.”

Notes
  • The CWGC show his Unit as 3 Special Service Bn. (3 SS Bn.) This Unit was formed by merging No 4 and 7 Commandos. It was short lived and by Feb 1941 the units had been redesignated back to individual Commando units. However in the interim period on the 31st January 1941, all of No 7 Commando, with some men from No 4 Commando, had sailed for the Middle East as part of Layforce. 
  • Pte. Crosbie was in No 7 Commando at the time of his death. They were engaged in a rearguard action for the evacuation of British troops on Crete. He is named on a list of missing persons for No 7 Commando held at the National Archives [3] . The officer, Captain Robert Gibb,  who wrote the letter to the family is listed as an officer serving in No 7 Commando having been attached to them from the 2nd Bn. Highland Light Infantry. [4]. 

Sources
[1] CWGC
[1a] Casualty Lists / National Archive file WO417 / 62.
[2] Dumfries and Galloway Standard
[2] British Newspaper Archive (website britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk); The British Library Board.
[3] National Archives file WO 361/1012 - No. 7 Commando, missing persons.
[4] National Archives file WO 218/7 - No 7 Commando War Diary.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 

Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos

Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
Contact the Archive via the [contact form].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.