Rank: Private
Service Number: 14402126
Regiment: 2nd Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C.
Died: Between 20th September 1944 and 21st September 1944
Age: 21 years old.
In WW2, Private Jack Stanley Crosier (sometimes Crozier) served with the Special Air Service (SAS). In August 1944 he was parachuted into north-eastern France, and was captured by the Germans. The following month he was executed by them.
Jack was born on the 13th September 1923 in Chelmsford. He was baptised at St. John's Church, Moulsham on the 17th October 1923. He was the son of Ivy Ellen Crozier, a single woman. He lived at 77, Upper Bridge Road, Chelmsford with his mother and grandmother Mary Ann Crosier. Jack also had an older brother Leslie Gordon who had been born in 1918. After leaving school, Jack went to work for the bearings firm 'Hoffmann's' in Chelmsford.
Enlisting in the Army in 1942 Jack served in 'A' Squadron, 2nd Special Air Service (S.A.S.) Regiment, Army Air Corps.
In 1944 Jack took part in 'Operation Loyton'. This was the codename given to an SAS mission deep in the inhospitable Vosges Mountains of France during World War II.
In the aftermath of the D-Day landings, the Allies were advancing through France, with General Patton's U.S. Third Army smashing its way towards the German border. It was believed the enemy might well dig their last-ditch defensive line in the Vosges. It therefore made sense for the SAS to drop in, boost and arm the local Resistance forces there and generally create havoc for the Germans. The mission was only intended to last two weeks, but lasted almost two months.
The S.A.S. force were parachuted into the area at night to establish a secure 'bandit base' and a drop zone for more men and supplies to follow. The plan was that as many as 120 SAS troopers would eventually be on the ground to wage 'shoot 'n' scoot' warfare, the SAS's speciality.
They might even seize one of the mountain passes leading into Germany and hold it until the Allied army arrived — in which case the war could well be over by Christmas.
However, there were two miscalculations in the plans. Firstly, the Allied forces were advancing much more slowly than anticipated, thereby prolonging the operation indefinitely.
Secondly, the area was not sparsely defended, as had been thought. A division of 5,000 German soldiers, including battle-hardened veterans from the Eastern Front, were reinforcing the area, against the advance of General George Patton's Third Army.
The moment Jack and his fellow soldiers landed, they found themselves up against Colonel Erich Isselhorst, an experienced German officer known for liquidating partisans in Russia. Now, he was Chief of the Gestapo in the Vosges area. When he heard reports of parachutists landing in his area he launched 'Operation Waldfest' (which translates as 'party in the forest') to hunt them all down.
Suddenly the forests and foothills were flooded with heavily armed German troops. The outnumbered S.A.S. began to withdraw, pursued by the enemy. During that operation 31 of their number were captured including Jack who was captured on the 11th September 1944.
Jack was taken to a place near St. Die in France where he was executed on the 20th or 21st September 1944. Initially buried by the French in Gaggenau Cemetery, Jack was later re-interred in Durnbach War Cemetery.
Initially reported as 'missing', his family finally learned of his death in August 1945. His grandmother received the news in a letter from the War Office. They wrote of Jack: "Your Grandson was respected as a courageous first class soldier. His loss is an irreparable one".
Jack is commemorated on the War Memorial in Chelmsford, Essex and also on the 'David Stirling and SAS Memorial' just outside Doune, at the roadside on the B824 to the South East of Doune, Stirling.
Jack's brother Leslie also served in the Army. A Private in the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, he was killed in Italy on the 10th January 1944. Leslie is buried in Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Chelmsford at War, Special Forces Roll of Honour, Newspaper Archives)
(Bio: Woose)
Service Number: 14402126
Regiment: 2nd Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C.
Died: Between 20th September 1944 and 21st September 1944
Age: 21 years old.
In WW2, Private Jack Stanley Crosier (sometimes Crozier) served with the Special Air Service (SAS). In August 1944 he was parachuted into north-eastern France, and was captured by the Germans. The following month he was executed by them.
Jack was born on the 13th September 1923 in Chelmsford. He was baptised at St. John's Church, Moulsham on the 17th October 1923. He was the son of Ivy Ellen Crozier, a single woman. He lived at 77, Upper Bridge Road, Chelmsford with his mother and grandmother Mary Ann Crosier. Jack also had an older brother Leslie Gordon who had been born in 1918. After leaving school, Jack went to work for the bearings firm 'Hoffmann's' in Chelmsford.
Enlisting in the Army in 1942 Jack served in 'A' Squadron, 2nd Special Air Service (S.A.S.) Regiment, Army Air Corps.
In 1944 Jack took part in 'Operation Loyton'. This was the codename given to an SAS mission deep in the inhospitable Vosges Mountains of France during World War II.
In the aftermath of the D-Day landings, the Allies were advancing through France, with General Patton's U.S. Third Army smashing its way towards the German border. It was believed the enemy might well dig their last-ditch defensive line in the Vosges. It therefore made sense for the SAS to drop in, boost and arm the local Resistance forces there and generally create havoc for the Germans. The mission was only intended to last two weeks, but lasted almost two months.
The S.A.S. force were parachuted into the area at night to establish a secure 'bandit base' and a drop zone for more men and supplies to follow. The plan was that as many as 120 SAS troopers would eventually be on the ground to wage 'shoot 'n' scoot' warfare, the SAS's speciality.
They might even seize one of the mountain passes leading into Germany and hold it until the Allied army arrived — in which case the war could well be over by Christmas.
However, there were two miscalculations in the plans. Firstly, the Allied forces were advancing much more slowly than anticipated, thereby prolonging the operation indefinitely.
Secondly, the area was not sparsely defended, as had been thought. A division of 5,000 German soldiers, including battle-hardened veterans from the Eastern Front, were reinforcing the area, against the advance of General George Patton's Third Army.
The moment Jack and his fellow soldiers landed, they found themselves up against Colonel Erich Isselhorst, an experienced German officer known for liquidating partisans in Russia. Now, he was Chief of the Gestapo in the Vosges area. When he heard reports of parachutists landing in his area he launched 'Operation Waldfest' (which translates as 'party in the forest') to hunt them all down.
Suddenly the forests and foothills were flooded with heavily armed German troops. The outnumbered S.A.S. began to withdraw, pursued by the enemy. During that operation 31 of their number were captured including Jack who was captured on the 11th September 1944.
Jack was taken to a place near St. Die in France where he was executed on the 20th or 21st September 1944. Initially buried by the French in Gaggenau Cemetery, Jack was later re-interred in Durnbach War Cemetery.
Initially reported as 'missing', his family finally learned of his death in August 1945. His grandmother received the news in a letter from the War Office. They wrote of Jack: "Your Grandson was respected as a courageous first class soldier. His loss is an irreparable one".
Jack is commemorated on the War Memorial in Chelmsford, Essex and also on the 'David Stirling and SAS Memorial' just outside Doune, at the roadside on the B824 to the South East of Doune, Stirling.
Jack's brother Leslie also served in the Army. A Private in the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, he was killed in Italy on the 10th January 1944. Leslie is buried in Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Chelmsford at War, Special Forces Roll of Honour, Newspaper Archives)
(Bio: Woose)
Rank: Private
Service Number: 14402126
Regiment: 2nd Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C.
Died: Between 20th September 1944 and 21st September 1944
Age: 21 years old.
In WW2, Private Jack Stanley Crosier (sometimes Crozier) served with the Special Air Service (SAS). In August 1944 he was parachuted into north-eastern France, and was captured by the Germans. The following month he was executed by them.
Jack was born on the 13th September 1923 in Chelmsford. He was baptised at St. John's Church, Moulsham on the 17th October 1923. He was the son of Ivy Ellen Crozier, a single woman. He lived at 77, Upper Bridge Road, Chelmsford with his mother and grandmother Mary Ann Crosier. Jack also had an older brother Leslie Gordon who had been born in 1918. After leaving school, Jack went to work for the bearings firm 'Hoffmann's' in Chelmsford.
Enlisting in the Army in 1942 Jack served in 'A' Squadron, 2nd Special Air Service (S.A.S.) Regiment, Army Air Corps.
In 1944 Jack took part in 'Operation Loyton'. This was the codename given to an SAS mission deep in the inhospitable Vosges Mountains of France during World War II.
In the aftermath of the D-Day landings, the Allies were advancing through France, with General Patton's U.S. Third Army smashing its way towards the German border. It was believed the enemy might well dig their last-ditch defensive line in the Vosges. It therefore made sense for the SAS to drop in, boost and arm the local Resistance forces there and generally create havoc for the Germans. The mission was only intended to last two weeks, but lasted almost two months.
The S.A.S. force were parachuted into the area at night to establish a secure 'bandit base' and a drop zone for more men and supplies to follow. The plan was that as many as 120 SAS troopers would eventually be on the ground to wage 'shoot 'n' scoot' warfare, the SAS's speciality.
They might even seize one of the mountain passes leading into Germany and hold it until the Allied army arrived — in which case the war could well be over by Christmas.
However, there were two miscalculations in the plans. Firstly, the Allied forces were advancing much more slowly than anticipated, thereby prolonging the operation indefinitely.
Secondly, the area was not sparsely defended, as had been thought. A division of 5,000 German soldiers, including battle-hardened veterans from the Eastern Front, were reinforcing the area, against the advance of General George Patton's Third Army.
The moment Jack and his fellow soldiers landed, they found themselves up against Colonel Erich Isselhorst, an experienced German officer known for liquidating partisans in Russia. Now, he was Chief of the Gestapo in the Vosges area. When he heard reports of parachutists landing in his area he launched 'Operation Waldfest' (which translates as 'party in the forest') to hunt them all down.
Suddenly the forests and foothills were flooded with heavily armed German troops. The outnumbered S.A.S. began to withdraw, pursued by the enemy. During that operation 31 of their number were captured including Jack who was captured on the 11th September 1944.
Jack was taken to a place near St. Die in France where he was executed on the 20th or 21st September 1944. Initially buried by the French in Gaggenau Cemetery, Jack was later re-interred in Durnbach War Cemetery.
Initially reported as 'missing', his family finally learned of his death in August 1945. His grandmother received the news in a letter from the War Office. They wrote of Jack: "Your Grandson was respected as a courageous first class soldier. His loss is an irreparable one".
Jack is commemorated on the War Memorial in Chelmsford, Essex and also on the 'David Stirling and SAS Memorial' just outside Doune, at the roadside on the B824 to the South East of Doune, Stirling.
Jack's brother Leslie also served in the Army. A Private in the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, he was killed in Italy on the 10th January 1944. Leslie is buried in Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Chelmsford at War, Special Forces Roll of Honour, Newspaper Archives)
(Bio: Woose)
Service Number: 14402126
Regiment: 2nd Special Air Service Regiment, A.A.C.
Died: Between 20th September 1944 and 21st September 1944
Age: 21 years old.
In WW2, Private Jack Stanley Crosier (sometimes Crozier) served with the Special Air Service (SAS). In August 1944 he was parachuted into north-eastern France, and was captured by the Germans. The following month he was executed by them.
Jack was born on the 13th September 1923 in Chelmsford. He was baptised at St. John's Church, Moulsham on the 17th October 1923. He was the son of Ivy Ellen Crozier, a single woman. He lived at 77, Upper Bridge Road, Chelmsford with his mother and grandmother Mary Ann Crosier. Jack also had an older brother Leslie Gordon who had been born in 1918. After leaving school, Jack went to work for the bearings firm 'Hoffmann's' in Chelmsford.
Enlisting in the Army in 1942 Jack served in 'A' Squadron, 2nd Special Air Service (S.A.S.) Regiment, Army Air Corps.
In 1944 Jack took part in 'Operation Loyton'. This was the codename given to an SAS mission deep in the inhospitable Vosges Mountains of France during World War II.
In the aftermath of the D-Day landings, the Allies were advancing through France, with General Patton's U.S. Third Army smashing its way towards the German border. It was believed the enemy might well dig their last-ditch defensive line in the Vosges. It therefore made sense for the SAS to drop in, boost and arm the local Resistance forces there and generally create havoc for the Germans. The mission was only intended to last two weeks, but lasted almost two months.
The S.A.S. force were parachuted into the area at night to establish a secure 'bandit base' and a drop zone for more men and supplies to follow. The plan was that as many as 120 SAS troopers would eventually be on the ground to wage 'shoot 'n' scoot' warfare, the SAS's speciality.
They might even seize one of the mountain passes leading into Germany and hold it until the Allied army arrived — in which case the war could well be over by Christmas.
However, there were two miscalculations in the plans. Firstly, the Allied forces were advancing much more slowly than anticipated, thereby prolonging the operation indefinitely.
Secondly, the area was not sparsely defended, as had been thought. A division of 5,000 German soldiers, including battle-hardened veterans from the Eastern Front, were reinforcing the area, against the advance of General George Patton's Third Army.
The moment Jack and his fellow soldiers landed, they found themselves up against Colonel Erich Isselhorst, an experienced German officer known for liquidating partisans in Russia. Now, he was Chief of the Gestapo in the Vosges area. When he heard reports of parachutists landing in his area he launched 'Operation Waldfest' (which translates as 'party in the forest') to hunt them all down.
Suddenly the forests and foothills were flooded with heavily armed German troops. The outnumbered S.A.S. began to withdraw, pursued by the enemy. During that operation 31 of their number were captured including Jack who was captured on the 11th September 1944.
Jack was taken to a place near St. Die in France where he was executed on the 20th or 21st September 1944. Initially buried by the French in Gaggenau Cemetery, Jack was later re-interred in Durnbach War Cemetery.
Initially reported as 'missing', his family finally learned of his death in August 1945. His grandmother received the news in a letter from the War Office. They wrote of Jack: "Your Grandson was respected as a courageous first class soldier. His loss is an irreparable one".
Jack is commemorated on the War Memorial in Chelmsford, Essex and also on the 'David Stirling and SAS Memorial' just outside Doune, at the roadside on the B824 to the South East of Doune, Stirling.
Jack's brother Leslie also served in the Army. A Private in the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, he was killed in Italy on the 10th January 1944. Leslie is buried in Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Chelmsford at War, Special Forces Roll of Honour, Newspaper Archives)
(Bio: Woose)
Inscription
14402126 Private
J.S. Crosier
Special Air Service Regiment
Army Air Corps
20-21st September 1944
Age 21
God's greatest gift,
Remembrance.
Treasured memories
Of my dear Grandson Jack.
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