Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Private David Knox Crerar - 873 (KIA Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli)
Born: 5th August 1887 – Middlesex Parish,Wood Green, London, England
Father: Alexander Crerar –born 1840 in Perth, Scotland –successful Music Printer
Mother: Frances Catherine Crerar (nee Newland) – born 1849 Middlesex, London
Education: Noel Park Boarding School, Wood Green, London
Trade: Electrical Engineer (Fitter & Turner) on the railways (occasionally helped with fathers printing business)
1911 Census: David at 19 was still living at home with his parents at 58 Trinity Road, Wood Green, London. David’s aunty Maria Newland (Frances sister) was also living with the family at this time.
Canada: David travelled to Canada around 1908 – he joined the 91st Regiment Canadian Highlanders Hamilton Ontario. It later became the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) – Davids older brother Alexander, wife Mary and son Louis emigrated to Canada sometime after the 1911 UK census (Alexander died in 1919). They lived in Toronto (near Hamilton).
UK Outward Passengers 1913: David must have gone back to England as he is shown to have departed UK at Southampton 21st January 1913 on the ship Ascania.
Canadian Passenger Arrivals 1913: David arrived at Portland, Main, USA 1st February 1913 on the ship Ascania. (in Ancestry this entry is under the name David Russ Crerar)
USA Border Crossings from Canada to US: David arrived from Canada in Eastport, Idaho USA on November 1913.
New South Wales Unassisted Immigrant Passenger List: David arrived in Sydney on the 1st June 1914 aboard the ship Sonoma. (in Ancestry this entry is under the name DH Crerar)
Western Australia Passenger List: David arrived in Fremantle on the 18th March 1914 aboard the ship Wandilla (in Ancestry this entry is under the name DR Crerar)
East Wagin: David went east of Perth to the interior of Western Australia to live with his sister, Frances and brother-in-law Walter Heard in the Dudinin Kukerin area, east of Wagin.
Enlistment: David enlisted at Fremantle in the Australian Imperial Forces, 11th Infantry Battalion, Soldier Number: 873. He left Fremantle on the “Ascanius” on the 2nd November, 1914 headed for Albany before sailing on to Egypt to train for what lay ahead.
Attestation Paper Details:
Name: David Knox CRERAR
Born: 5th August, 1887 - Middlesex, London, England
Age: 27 years
Trade: Fitter & Turner
Married: No
Next of Kin: Sister - Mrs WP Heard, Woodgreen, Springhurst Mail, East Wagin,
Western Australia.
Other Forces Served In:
4 years 91st Canadian Highlanders

After Egypt: David sent a photo of himself in front of a tent in uniform to his sister in Western Australia. He wrote on the back and these are the desciphened notes:
“On Active Service”
26th March (this is just over 5 weeks prior to his death 2/5/1915)
“Our mail must have been held up somewhere have not seen any for awhile”.
“It is a lot colder here than in Egypt”
“Hope the money is coming in”
“Going to make my Will next week”

We are not sure where this was sent from. David signed his Will on the 24th April 1915.

Gallipoli: During his active service, David was involved with live bomb investigation. During one such exercise David was killed in action on the 2nd May 1915 at Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli. The card entry on the 30th May 1917 explains his death as “accidently wounded BW multiple undergoing live bomb instruction – soldier not to blame”.

Commonwealth War Graves: David is remembered at Lone Pine Memorial:

In Memory of Private David Knox Crerar – 873, 11th Battalion Australian Infantry, A.I.F. who died on 2nd May 1915 Age 27. Son of Alexander and Frances Crerar, native of London, England. Remembered with Honour – Lone Pine Memorial

Medals: These are the medals awarded to David for his service in the Australian Imperial Forces.

19124/15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

We have proudly displayed in rememberance of David Knox Crerar a family honour board.

Lest We Forget