| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 6668 |
| Unit # | 1st |
| Resident | Chatham |
Initials: C W. Date of Birth 07/10/0000. The son of F. L. Crossier of 7 Edgerton St., Brantford, ON. A laborer as his occupation and was working in Detroit prior to the start of the war. His next of Kin was reported to be Miss Mae Crossier, she was living at 253 St.Clair St., Chatham, she would later move to 253 Windsor Ave., Windsor, ON.
Nationality: Canadian Rank: Private Regiment: Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) Unit Text: 1st Bn. Regimental number: 6668 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2163 – 20, Item: 126716, PDF: B2163-S020. He had been an enlistment in the 24th Kent Regt. prior to his enlistment in the CEF.
He enlisted 22/09/14 at Valcartier, PQ., age 19 years and he was 5’ 10”. The Canadian Expeditionary Force sailed to England 3/10/1914.
Private Crossier was reported killed in action in the Chatham Daily Planet 30/06/1915 at Festubert, age 19 years. The brother of May Crossier he was employed in Detroit, Michigan prior to the start of war. While in Chatham he resided on St. Clair Street. Originally enlisted with the Ambulance Corp he transferred to the infantry at Valcatier, “hoping that the move would insure earlier transportation to the firing line. Curators Note: There is some question of the actual date of Charles death. A search of his military records includes: 20/06/15, 26/27/06/15 and 27 or 29/06/15 at Givhancy. The last one come from his for his presentation of the Military Star 25/08/1921. The ‘fog of war’ and record keeping is a chore.
One of eight fatalities of No. 13 platoon, No.4 Company, 1st Bn., Western Ontario Regt. during the action of 15/06/1915. A Chatham Daily Planet 25/08/1915 article begins, “Far over on the battle field of Europe is a grave, a simple grave, marked by a rough wooden cross and a few now-withered flowers”. This was the description of Charles William Crosier’s resting-place.
Curators Note: At some time during the Great War the burial place of Charles was lost and is the reason of him being recognized on the Vimy Memorial. Upon a search of Pte. Crosiers military file, there is some confusion on the actual date of his death.
The memory of this tragic loss was brought home when his silver wrist watch was returned to Canada from the scene of war. “The watch is in good condition and gives no evidence of the fierce times through which it passed.” The article concludes with the expectation that the family will be cherished, “as a token of the soldier who has given his life for his country.”
Curators Note: On the Canadian Virtual War Memorial, website is and interesting photo of a WWI cap badge with the following:
“This maple leaf with the name C. Crosier was found in the basement of a house at 67 Poplar St., Chatham, ON. in 1947. It has two brass nails. Could it have been affixed to a cross or is it something else entirely? If the item is of interest I will donate it to the museum.
Death: 15/06/1915 Service No: 6668 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Cemetery: VIMY MEMORIAL.
His sister Mae as Charles next of kin was assigned $18.00 per week from his military pay.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (30-06-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (25-08-1915), Victoria Ave. United Church - Roll of Honour, Centennial Chatham 1895-1995 - John Rhodes, KCHR175, 25/08/15 |
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