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In 1909 he had to resign his commission after issuing a series of dishonoured cheques, and a note on his voluminous file at the UK National Archives, Kew, notes that he would not have been recommissioned in 1914 had it been realised that he was the same officer who had resigned five years previously.įor those interested in Irish history, there are two other important episodes in Crozier’s career beyond his service in the 36th (Ulster) Division. While serving in Nigeria, facing tough conditions and in charge of an isolated command, he became an alcoholic and this seems to have led to financial problems. His background was Anglo-Irish, his father an army officer and he was educated at Wellington College, but his short stature meant that he could not enter Sandhurst at the age of nineteen as originally planned. In other circumstances Crozier could have followed a more traditional military career.

Crozier’s life also encompassed a career as a successful and popular author and as a campaigner in the Peace Pledge Union in the 1930s. In addition, Crozier claimed to have served in the Ceylon Light Infantry, in local forces raised in Natal during the Zulu uprising of 1906 and in the Saskatchewan Light Horse, but there is no documentary evidence to support any of these claims. This, however, was but one episode in a remarkably colourful military career that encompassed service in the ranks of Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry during the South African War, commissioned service in the Manchester Regiment, service in Nigeria with the West African Frontier Force, command of 119th Brigade in 40th Division on the Western Front, 1917–18, and as Inspector General of the Lithuanian Army, 1919–20. Withycombe, recommended him for the Distinguished Service Order (generally regarded as being second only to the Victoria Cross in prestige amongst British valour medals) but his divisional commander, Major-General Oliver Nugent, cancelled this, noting that Crozier should be court-martialled for disobeying orders.īy his actions on 1 July 1916 alone Crozier would have earned a place in the history books. After the battle, by Crozier’s own account, his immediate superior, Brigadier General W.M. By all accounts, his example of courage and decisive leadership contributed to the success of the 36th (Ulster) Division in its initial assault on one of the strongest German defensive positions on the Somme. In doing so he defied orders that no commanding officers were to accompany their troops into action. Crozier, then a lieutenant colonel, led his men of the 9th Royal Irish Rifles out of Thiepval Wood to attack the Schwaben Redoubt during the Battle of the Somme. Published in Book Reviews, Issue 4 (July/August 2014), Reviews, Volume 22 Broken Sword: The Tumultuous Life of General Frank Crozier 1879–1937

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