Sydney Crookshank in 1928.

Major-General Sir Sydney D'Aguilar Crookshank KCMG CB CIE DSO MVO (3 June 1870 – 17 August 1941) was a British military engineer who served with the Royal Engineers in the British Army and the British Indian Army. Most of his early career was spent in colonial service; he later served as a senior officer during the First World War.[1]

As a temporary Lieutenant-Colonel he was Commander, Royal Engineers (CRE), of 47th (1/2nd London) Division on the Western Front from 30 July 1915 to 27 November 1916.[2][3][4] On 21 May 1916 in the Vimy sector the Germans fired a mine and attacked the division's positions in overwhelming numbers. The situation was so critical for a while that Crookshank brought his Sappers of 47th (2nd London) Divisional Engineers up to man the trenches as infantry.[5][6] He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order on 3 June 1916.[7] Later, as a Major-General he was appointed Director-General (Transportation) of the British Armies in France on 19 March 1918.[8]

After the war, Crookshank was appointed Honorary Colonel of 47th (2nd London) Divisional Engineers on 3 March 1923.[9][10]

Notes

  1. ^ 'CROOKSHANK, Maj.-Gen. Sir Sydney D'Aguilar', at Who was Who.
  2. ^ Becke, Pt 2a, p. 69.
  3. ^ Edwards, Appendix G.
  4. ^ Maude, Appendix D.
  5. ^ Edmonds, pp. 216–8.
  6. ^ Maude, pp. 54–5.
  7. ^ Edinburgh Gazette, 5 June 1916.
  8. ^ Becke, Pt 4, p. 12.
  9. ^ Edwards, Appendix F.
  10. ^ Monthly Army List.

References

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