Keith was a well known athlete with creditable records in spots and held many championships before enlisting in the First Kents. He attended the Chatham Collegiate Institute. After graduation he was on the staff of Union Gas Ltd. before enlisting in the army. Joined in the Kent Regiment October 1938.

Served in Canada from 1940 to 1944. In January of 1942 Lieut. Crummer was home on leave from the First Kents, stationed at Niagara-on-the-Lake to spend a few days with his wife and baby son in Chatham. CDN 28/01/42.  Lieut. Crummer along with his sister Eileen and his mother visited family friends while he was on a weekend leave. CDN 23/03/42

Charles wife Frances (nee Bevan) and little son Richard were posted on the Pacific coast in July of 1942. It was reported in the CDN 24/07/42 that the Crummers would be on their way back to Chatham and staying with R. L. Bevan and his wife. Major would have two children they resided in Chatham.

In January of 1942 Lieut. Crummer was home on leave from the First Kents, staioned at Niagara-on-the-Lake to spend a few days with his wife and baby son in Chatham. CDN 28/01/42; another child would be added before Captain Crummer went overseas.

In the Kent Regt. (Active Service) was stationed on the Pacific Coast when he was on a furlough home. CDN 20/10/42. Lieut. Crummer was reported to have been promoted to the rank of Captain at the Battle Training School at Vernon, BC. Keith had been on the instructional staff at the BTS. He was reported to still be at the BTS but may rejoin the the Kents. CDN 3/12/42

On 16 July 1943 the 1st Battalion embarked for Britain.   The CDN 13/12/43 reported Capt. Crummer who had been stationed on the west coast with the 2CITR, was expected to join his wife and children at the home of Mrs. Crummer’s parents Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Bevar on Victoria Ave., Chatham.   In March of 1944 Captain Crummer arrived in Britain. CDN 3/03/44 and 9/03/44(P) On 25 July 1944 it landed in France as a part of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Division, and it continued to fight in North-West Europe until the end of the war.  Reported wounded 10/09/44 in France while serving with the Lincoln & Welland Regt. and hospitalized two months.  The CDN 21/09/44 reported that Major Crummer had been ‘slightly wounded “ while serving in France in September, he was in hospital. On 11/09/44 reported that he had bee promoted to the November of 1944 Major.

In November of 1944 Major Crummer serving with the Lincoln & Welland Regt. led a company of troops in the first dash across the River Seine in France. This exploit was told by Ross Munro of the Canadian Press ( a famous WWII news reporter).  CDN 22/11/44

The overseas battalion was disbanded on 15 February 1946.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

KCFA, IODE(P), VR, CCI-RH, GM-JRH, C. VOICE 18/09/14, CDN 4/10/80.

Birthplace	Wallaceburg, Ontario
Religion	Roman Catholic
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	July 1940
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Francis Crummer

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