Robert was born in 1916 in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. His medals were sent to his Mum in April 1950.

War Diary extract for *9th July, 1944:

The attack on CAEN. 

The plan:

The Canadians were to attack from the West.

The RUR's in the centre from the North.

1 KOSB from the EAST.

The Bn moved off at about 0930 hrs over ring contour "60", which was under shell fire, to FUP on the Eastern outskirts of CAEN. The ghostlike houses slowly came to life as civilians began to realize we were entering the town. They came rushing out with glasses and bottles of wine.

As the Bn was forming up on the start line and trying to re-establish wireless contact with companies and Bde, four Boche were seen to withdraw towards the centre of the town. Soon afterwards our HQ was mortared leaving 1 killed and 1 wounded.

The Bn then proceeded to clear the town. Little opposition was met. Progress was slowed down by snipers and an occasional MG.

Much assistance and information was offered by eager civilians. Debris and cratered streets also made progress extremely difficult.

We eventually reached the RV in the Old Town and established contact with the RUR and pushed forward patrols to the river. Patrols met quite heavy fire from across the river and a number of casualties were sustained.

*Official documents record Private Crawford's date of death as: Sunday, 09 July 1944 to Saturday, 15 July 1944.

As a range of dates means he will not show up in the casualty lists, we have taken the decision to mark the date of death as the 9th July - the attack on Caen.