John was commissioned into the 7^th Battalion, a territorial unit of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) on 5^th July 1939 and then embodied at the outbreak of war. For a time, he was Brigade Intelligence Officer in England prior to a posting to the Far East in 1942, serving in India and Malaya in the rank of Captain.

He was eventually appointed to the Civil Administrative Military Service with a view to service in Malaya after the occupation of that country by the Allies. On his way to Madras to take up this appointment Arthur contracted anterior poliomyelitis from which he died in Madras Military Hospital aged 25 on Friday 10^th August 1945. He is buried in Madras War Cemetery, Chennai, India.

Son of Dr Arthur Muir Crawford & Jennifer Lennox Beaumont Crawford of Glasgow, Scotland.

A copy of John's story may be downloaded here.

Revised: November 2025