John Wilson Crawford was the only child of John and Emily (Wilson) Crawford, born 8 July 1899.

He attended the Church of England Grammar School, Sydney, and then the University of Sydney where he studied law.

John married Gladys Marjorie Lyndon Clay 1928, in Sydney and they had a daughter. He was living in Warrawee, Sydney, New South Wales on his enlistment. The 1930 Electoral Roll of Gordon, New South Wales, records his occupation as a Solicitor.

He was a member of the Citizen Military Force and had been promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonel when he was called up in 1939 for full time duty.  He then served in the 2/17 Battalion and fought at the siege of Tobruk.

During that time, he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).  In 1944 his medal was presented to his wife.

The Citation reads “Lt.-Col Crawford has continuously commanded his Battalion, 2/17th Aust. Inf. Bn., during the period March-July 1941. In the difficult withdrawal from Mersa Brega to Tobruk his handling of his command was an outstanding example of leadership in numerous difficult situations, and resulted in the successful withdrawal of his Battalion. At 0400 hrs on 14 Apr his Battalion was attacked by tanks and Infantry of a German Panzer Division. 40 tanks and large numbers of infantry having passed through his front line, he personally organised counter-attacks and his handling of the situation had the result of completely defeating the enemy, destroying many tanks and practically wiping out a German machine gun Battalion, many prisoners being taken. He has constantly led his Battalion in the defence of Tobruk, and under his direct supervision the men of his command have carried out the most vigourous defence, combined with constant offensive patrol in activities with most successful results. His courage and coolness under most difficult circumstances have been, at all times, an inspiration to his command.”

Brigadier Crawford was killed in an air crash:-

Virtual War Memorial, Australia

“De Havilland Dragon A34-24 was on hire from McRobertson and Muir Airways of the Northern Territory and was being used for courier work around far north Queensland by RAAF Number 5 Communications Flight when it crashed in the Jigol Peak area in Freshwater Gorge near Cairns (Crystal Cascade) during a flight from Cairns to Mareeba.

Killed were:Sergeant Lindsay James Sutherland McColl, pilot, 405796.  Brigadier John Crawford NX378 DSO Commander of 11 Brigade. Lieutenant Arthur William Morris of the 26th Battalion NX145684

Two seriously injured survivors were found four days after the crash wandering around in the bush: Lieutenant Colonel Philip Heathcote George Cardale NX483 of the 31st Battalion / Australian Army Staff Corps (discharged April 1947).

Aircraftman Ronald Henry Appleby 412876 RAAF crewman (discharged March 1946)”