Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Cranswick Thurston George

Born 8^th October 1893 Stanley Tasmania the son of Henry Walter and Marion Isabella Cranswick (nee Anderson) a bank clerk he embarked 1^st July 1916 on board “HMAT Berrima” with the 40^th Infantry Battalion and the rank of Corporal.

He died 18^th November 1920 at the 12^th Australian General Hospital Launceston Tasmania from tetanus and was buried in the Carr Villa General Cemetery, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in successfully leading his platoon to its objective and consolidating his portion of the line. His gallant conduct whilst under heavy fire set a magnificent example to his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 23th August 1918, during an attack on Bray, when his company was held up by machine gun nests. The O.C. being wounded he took command and re-organizing the company, captured the machine guns and many prisoners, gaining his objective. A few days later he attacked Clery Copse, but it proved an impossible task, and he was severely wounded and had to be evacuated, after showing great pluck and enterprise.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919

Death of a War Hero LIEUT. T. G. CRANSWICK, M.C., D.C.M.

A distinguished soldier, who by his indomitable pluck had won the esteem of his associates in the face of death, two decorations for valour and his commission in the Australian imperial Force, passed away at Hornsey Hospital at 2 o'clock yesterday morning, in the person of Lieut. Thurston George Cranswick, M.C., D.C.M. He had been under treatment for over two years for a severe wound received in action, necessitating a serious operation a few days ago, to which he succumbed. The late Mr. Cranswick whose parents reside at Stanley was educated at the High School (before its amalgamation with the Grammar School), after which he served on the staff of the Commercial Bank of Tasmania in the Zeehan branch. From this position he enlisted in the army, leaving Tasmania as a corporal and original member of the Fortieth Battalion, in company with his younger brother Jack on July 2, 1916. His brother had served on Gallipoli in the Twelfth Battalion, and was one of the first batch of returned men, afterwards being transferred to the Fortieth Battalion with the rank of company sergeant-major. On arrival on the battlefield the late Mr. Cranswick lost no time in displaying his manhood volunteering in many raids, and fulfilling his duties in a man- ner which attracted the admiration of his superior officers. During a raid on the enemy at Houplines a suburb of Armentieres, where the "Fighting Fortieth" received their baptism of fire, his brother, who that day received his commission was mortally wounded, and a few days afterwards Thurston was promoted to sergeant. As platoon sergeant in charge of No. 13 platoon he established his mastery over the tactics of the enemy in the battle of Messines. His platoon was allotted the ticklish task of dislodging a desperate body of the enemy from Sneitchel Farm on the Douve River, about a mile and a half from the demolished town of Messines. For his brilliant and courageous behaviour on this occasion the young soldier was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. While the battalion was undergoing recreation training a few weeks later at the Douve camp, which is situated at the foot of the famous Kemmel Hill, Mr. Cranswick received his commission a promotion which was noted with eminent satisfaction by his platoon and all of his other comrades, with whom he always remained a "cobber." During the months which followed sanguinary and desperate fighting occurred at intervals, and the gallant soldier continued to display his remarkable adaptability to the fighting game. Where the nerve of other brave fighters who had borne the brunt along with him began to grow "shaky," his nerve seemed to assume more of that iron quality which symbolises Australian grit. A break in his immediate attachment to the Fortieth occurred when he was detailed off to an English brigade as instructor to the Imperial troops in scouting and raiding. His work under the new conditions called forth the unstinted admiration of the English brigadier, who specially commended him. The English soldiers, too, learned to regard him with the deepest respect, not only for his striking personality, but also for his actual association with them in their precarious undertakings in No- Man's Land in the course of his instructions. The late Lieut. Cranswick's return to the Fortieth some weeks later was hailed in the battalion with general satisfaction, partly because of the steadying influence his example afforded in particularly dangerous "stunts." For his excellent services in some stiff fighting at Berlin Wood, near the famous "Clery Copse," in August, 1918, the gallant soldier was awarded the Military Cross. It was with chagrin that the men learned of his serious wound in the left elbow in that scrap. Lieut. Cranswick was sent to hospital in "Blighty," where he lingered for many months, slowly recovering. One night he nearly lost his life through turning on to his injured arm in his sleep, the resultant loss of blood all but causing his death. However, he happily recovered sufficiently to be sent home to Tasmania, and once on his native soil made more rapid progress towards convalescence. While at Hornsey Hospital he became so well that he assumed official duties, but recently a serious operation on his wound became necessary, resulting in his lamented death. In both his boyhood and his military career, during which the writer has had personal intimacy with him, the late Mr. Cranswick showed himself to have been a most desirable associate. His un- selfishness and excellent character won him many friends. He was also a rather capable pianist, and was of service on occasions in battalion concerts in France. In Mr. Cranswick Tasmania has lost one of its heroes, of whom it might well have been proud. The funeral will leave Hornsey Hospital it 3 p.m. to-day for Carr Villa Cemetery, and it is understood that the authorities are arranging a military one. Members of the Fortieth Battalion Association and the Returned Soldiers' and Sailors' Imperial League will take part. Lieut.-Colonel Lord, D.S.O., V.D., yesterday telegraphed Captain J. D. W. Chisholm, V.D., requesting him to arrange for a wreath from the former association to be forwarded.

The Examiner 19^th November 1920

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.