CRAWFORD Peter McLagan T/Capt

SKR/DAT/IP/25697

CRAWFORD Peter McLagan T/Capt

2000-2024

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Surname: CRAWFORD;

Forename(s): Peter McLagan;

Initials: PM;

Rank: T/Capt;

Previous Regiment: R Scots;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 19 Bn;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 19 Bn;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 8 Bn;

Awarded: MC;

Gallantry Notes: On 22 June 1919, at Fedotava, he was put in charge of all Russian machine guns, previous to attack and led them forward. He dealt successfully with an enemy counter attack, and continued the advance for three miles, capturing 24 prisoners and one machine gun. His gallant leadership was of great service.;

Other Data: b 8/8/1882 in ranks 13 yrs 295 days. 2Lt 19/4/1917, MGC 19/4/1917-31/3/1921. To Aux Force, India
1920: 8 Bn MGC, Mhow, India

Enlisted into the Cameron Highlanders. 08. 04.1901
Promoted Colour Sergeant 05.03.1914
Promoted Company Sergeant-Major 28.01.1915
Transferred to Machine Gun Corps 01.01.1916

Appointed to a commission as 2nd Lieutenant, for service in the Field, posted to Royal Scots and seconded for duty with Machine Gun Corps 19.04.1917
Promoted Lieutenant 19.10.1918
Appointed Temporary Captain Liaison Staff (n Russia) 19.07.1919
Relinquished Temporary rank of Captain 12.10.1919
Seconded for duty as Adjutant, Indian Auxiliary Force 24.09.1920
Ceased to be employed with Machine Gun Corps 01.04.1921
Relinquished appointment as Adjutant 08.06.1923
Retired and received a Gratuity (gazetted 18.12.1923) 19.12.1923
Awarded the Military Cross. 21.01.1920
Mentioned in Despatches 03.02.1920

Special Recommendation.

Capt. P. McL. CRAWFORD, M.G.C., Liaison Staff.

This officer has displayed marked ability and capacity for hard work in connection with matters of administration of which work he has a sound knowledge, has shown himself tactful and is always cheerful, but at the same time a firm disciplinarian. He has an expert knowledge of machine gun work and has commanded Russian troops in action and been awarded the Military Cross for his leadership on this occasion. He has been in sole charge of a large area when employed as Intelligence Officer, from May till October 1919, has done invaluable work in equipping Russian troops and training various Russian Quarter-Master's Departments. His special characteristic is reliability. This officer has a very good working knowledge of the Russian language.

(Signed) Lt.-Colonel R.A.B.P. Watts. D.S.O.,
(Liaison Staff, N. Russia).

Capt. P. McL. CRAWFORD, M.G.C., Liaison Staff.

(recommendation for Military Cross)
On June 21st. at FEODOTOVA, this officer was put in charge of all Russian machine guns in order to superintend their fire, previous to attack. Seeing that the Russian troops failed to advance, he personally led them in the attack. His party when counter-attacked began to run back; Captain Crawford re-assembled his men, dealt with the counterattack and continued the advance for three miles, capturing 24 prisoners and one machine gun. But for this officer’s action, the attack would have
failed, as it had done on three previous occasions, and his gallant leadership was of great service.

(Signed) Lt.-Colonel R.A.B.P. Watts. D.S.O.,
(Liaison Staff).

See “The day we almost bombed Moscow” by Christopher Dobson.;

Other Notes: MC: LG 21/1/1920 NORTH RUSSIA - Murmansk;

END OF RECORD.

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