Crawley, Douglas Edward
- Date of birth:
- September 2nd, 1920 (Malta)
- Date of death:
- 1986
- Service number:
- 108192
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
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Military Cross (MC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Major
- Unit:
- "B" Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- September 23rd, 1943
"On the afternoon of the 1st December, 1942, this officer was in command of a platoon which was heavily engaged with the enemy in the hills called DJ ST BOU HADJEBA (Map Ref TUNIS K 0527). The platoon was on the right flank of the Battalion and the enemy repeatedly attacked the position. During the action Lieutenant CRAWLEY was wounded in the head but continued to command his platoon and held his ground. Later he was again wounded and temporarily blinded, only then did he hand over his command and was led some forty miles to MEDJEZ EL BAB by a brother officer. Although suffering great pain he cheerfully encouraged his men. "
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major
- Unit:
- "B" Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army
- Awarded on:
- September 20th, 1945
- Awarded for:
- Operation Market Garden
Citation:
"From the 17th to the 20th of September 1944 this officer commanded B Company. On the way into Arnhem in Holland the battalion was held up by the enemy on the high ground on the outskirts. Major CRAWLEY was ordered to deal with the opposition, which he succeeded in doing so effectively that the remainder of the battalion had little difficulty in reaching their objectives. Communications being faulty, he had to use his own judgement as to when to proceed to his final objectives. With great skill and leadership he disengaged his Company in the darkness and seized the North end of the pontoon bridge. Enemy attempts to recapture this area were severely dealt with. On Monday 18th, Major Crawley was ordered to leave the pontoon bridge and to move to the main bridge. He conducted this operation with great determination and arrived at the main bridge with prisoners and enemy weapons. Later the same day he led a small patrol back to the pontoon bridge in the hope of contacting reinforcements. Throughout the remainder of the battle he was continuously directing the defence of his sector, leading local counter attacks and reconnoitering fresh positions as building after building was destroyed by fire.
He was a splendid example, his courage, leadership and skill were of a very high order."
Second MC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first MC.
"From the 17th to the 20th of September 1944 this officer commanded B Company. On the way into Arnhem in Holland the battalion was held up by the enemy on the high ground on the outskirts. Major CRAWLEY was ordered to deal with the opposition, which he succeeded in doing so effectively that the remainder of the battalion had little difficulty in reaching their objectives. Communications being faulty, he had to use his own judgement as to when to proceed to his final objectives. With great skill and leadership he disengaged his Company in the darkness and seized the North end of the pontoon bridge. Enemy attempts to recapture this area were severely dealt with. On Monday 18th, Major Crawley was ordered to leave the pontoon bridge and to move to the main bridge. He conducted this operation with great determination and arrived at the main bridge with prisoners and enemy weapons. Later the same day he led a small patrol back to the pontoon bridge in the hope of contacting reinforcements. Throughout the remainder of the battle he was continuously directing the defence of his sector, leading local counter attacks and reconnoitering fresh positions as building after building was destroyed by fire.
He was a splendid example, his courage, leadership and skill were of a very high order."
Second MC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first MC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Pegasus Archive
- - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36180 published on the 21 September 1943
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37274 published on the 18 September 1945
- The Pegasus Archive
- The Battle of Arnhem Archive
Photo
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