1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal GVR (J.51757 A.C. CROSSMAN. L/TEL. H.M.S. VENETIA.)
Arthur Charles Crossman was born in Tiverton, Devon on 1 September 1900. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy in 1916 and served through the inter-war years. He was still active in WWII and was a Petty Officer Telegraphist aboard HMS Gloucester when she was sunk by enemy action in the Mediterranean on 22 May 1941. He was awarded his LSGCM aboard the Venetia in 1933.
HMS Gloucester was one of the second batch of three Town-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy during the late 1930s. Commissioned shortly before the start of World War II in August 1939, the ship was initially assigned to the China Station and was transferred to the Indian Ocean and later to South Africa to search for German commerce raiders. She was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet in mid-1940 and spent much of her time escorting Malta Convoys. Gloucester played minor roles in the Battle of Calabria in 1940 and the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941. She was sunk by German dive bombers on 22 May 1941 during the Battle of Crete with the loss of 722 men out of a crew of 807. Gloucester acquired the nickname "The Fighting G" after earning five battle honours in less than a year. Crossman, a Telegraphist, was one of those who never made it back.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with copied research. Please note that Crossman was also awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal which are not included.
