John Crosson

This story is shared with the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Photo source: Len, FindaGrave.com

John (Jack) Crosson was born on the 23rd of July 1907, the son of John & Maria Crosson (née Cassidy), who married in the June quarter of 1902 in the Middlesbrough registration district. They are seen on the 1911 census living at 336 Cannon Street, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire. John Crosson, 30, is head of the household and a Steelwork’s Labourer, Smelting Steel Furnaces. He had been born in Stockton-on-Tees, Durham and Maria Crosson, 28, had been born in Middlesbrough-on-Tees. 3 children had been born: William Crosson, 5, John Crosson, 4 and Charles Henry Crosson, 2.

The 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, shows the family now living at 328, Cannon Street, Middlesbrough. John Crosson was a Soaking Pit Heater at Dorman Long & Co., Steel Manufacturers Middlesbrough but was out of work at that time. Maria Crosson, was doing Home Duties. Their family had grown and they now had six children: William Crosson, 15 years was working as an Errand Boy for Mr. Lois, Confectioner, Bolckow Street, Middlesbroough, John Crosson, 13 years and 11 months old, Charles Henry Crosson, 12 years old, Mary Rosson, 9 years, Catherine Crosson, 5 years old were at school and Margaret Isobel Crosson, 2 years was at home.

I don’t know how John Crosson met Mary Alice Knowles, but they married in the September quarter of 1933 in the Middlesbrough registration district. The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, shows John & Mary living at 35 Waterloo Road, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire (North Riding). John was working as a Hairdresser on his own account and Mary was doing Unpaid Domestic Duties. A redacted record suggests they had had a child.

Sadly, I have no information on John Crosson, neither his early or teen years, but he was to find himself fighting on D-Day and laid down his life for our freedom. He joined the Royal Navy and was posted to HMS President III, a Royal Navy shore establishment during the Second World War. From 28th August 1939, it operated in Bristol to train those allocated for service on the Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS). During the Battle of Normandy he was serving as a Deck Hand on board the SS Ocean Courier, (DEMS).

On the night of July 30th/31st, 1944, SS Ocean Courier was part of convoy FTM.53, made up of 14 Merchant ships and three escorts, which departed the Seine Bay for Southend. But three German E Boats, the S 97 (Waldhausen), accompanied by S 114 (Hemmer) and S 91 (Nolte) attacked the convoy off Beachy Head. They fired six torpedoes at the convoy and reported multiple hits. They sank the SS Samwake, and damaged the SS Fort Dearborn and SS Ocean Courier. Ocean Courier was torpedoed between No.4/No.5 hold on the port side.

A citation for the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea awarded to Tom Pearson, Second Officer on the Ocean Courier explains what happened next.

There were several casualties among the members of the crew, some of whom were trapped in their quarters. Second Officer Pearson showed exceptional courage and leadership in difficult and dangerous circumstances. Although it was uncertain at the time whether the ship would remain afloat, he collected together a party of volunteers and led them to the rescue of their shipmates. Five bodies were recovered and two men were brought out alive.

One of the men killed was John Crosson. The damaged ships were towed to Dungeness, Kent and John was buried in Dover (St James') Cemetery. His headstone has this personal inscription:

MEMORIES LIVE FOREVER
OF JACK
DEARLY LOVED HUSBAND
AND FATHER
REST IN PEACE

The Ocean Courier was taken by two tugs to Middlesbrough for repairs which were completed in March 1945.

Mary Alice Crosson remarried in the March quarter of 1948 in the Middlesbrough registration district to Frederick N Stockwell.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of John Crosson. If you are aware of one, or you are related to John, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.