Thomas Davis Crosby was born in Liverpool on 16 July 1884, his parents were Edward and Margaret Crosby.
The 1901 Census shows that the family lived at 147 Park Road, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. His father Edward Crosby aged 56 was employed as a Carter to the Railway (He drove a light two wheeled carriage). His mother Margaret Crosby was aged 54 at that time. There were three children of the marriage – Helen Crosby aged 26, a Dressmaker, John Jones Crosby aged 18, who was employed as a Clerk and Thomas David Crosby aged 15.
At some stage the family moved to Bagillt, Flintshire and lived at 6 Foel Gron, Bagillt. Thomas Davis Crosby and his sisters Ellen and Annie Crosby emigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where other family members lived.
Prior to his enlistment with the Canadian Military, Thomas was employed as a Wireless Operator at the Pachena Point Lighthouse, which is located on Vancouver Island, approximately 12 km South of Bamford, British Columbia, in the Pacific Rim National Park. It is in a very remote area and it would seem that he lived and worked there as part of a two man team with the Lighthouse keeper, who was a William Robinson Pillas.
On 23 September 1914 he enlisted as a soldier with the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. He gives his sister Miss Ellen Crosby of 1025 Thurlow Steet, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada as his next of kin. He is described on his Attestation Paper as – 5.8″, 36″ Chest, Medium Complexion, Grey Eyes and Light Brown Hair. He gives his religion as Church of England. On Medical Examination he is considered Fit for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. He was buried at Ljssenthoek Military Cemetery neat Ypres. This large cemetery was at a Casualty Clearing Station.
During May 1915 Ellen and Annie were passengers on the RMS Lusitania travelling to Liverpool from New York to visit family when it was sunk off the coast of Ireland and they were both drowned.
He is also remembered on the North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, North Wales.
There is no Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for Thomas Davis Crosby at the County Archives Office, Hawarden. Details of his medals were obtained from Ancestry.co.uk
