John was born at Levin on 3 June 1921. He was educated at Kakapuka School, Pokuru. After leaving school he worked as a farm hand at F A Ealey's Farm at Pokuru.
John served for 14 months in the NZ Army/Territorial Force.
On 3 December 1941 John joined the RNZAF as a ACH (AMD). On 18 March 1942 he was posted to Woodbourne. On 16 May he was at the Initial Training Wing where he remustered as a WOP/AG under training.
He embarked for Canada on the 22 June and on arrival he was attached to the RCAF on 15 July. The next day he was posted to 5M Depot before going on to 2WS on the 21 June. On 6 Febreuary 1943 he was posted to 3 Bombing and Gunnery School.
He received his Wireless Operator and Gunners Badges by the 8 March and was promoted to Sergeant at the same time. On the 23 March he was posted to 2 Air Observers School as Staff WOP. On 21 August he was posted to 32 OTU flying Hampdens. He was then sent to 1 Y Depot before embarking for the UK on 14 December.
On arrival in the UK he was attached to the RAF and posted to 12 PRC on the 22 December. On 25 January 1944 John was posted to 6 Observers Advanced Flying Unit. He was then posted to 16 OTU flying Wellingtons on 21 March before going on to 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit flying Stirlings on 14 June. On 18 August John was posted to 5 LFS flying Lancasters.
John was posted to 50 Squadron flying Lancasters on 23 August. With 50 Squadron John carried out 14 operational sorties.
On 3 November John was posted to 189 Squadron. While with 189 Squadron John may have carried out approx 16 operational sorties.
4 March 1945 Lancaster I PA197 CA-B
On the night of 4 March John was part of Flying Officer T Dykins crew, which took off for a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal near Ladbergen, Germany. The Lancaster came down about 18km NW of the target area, crashing near Bevergern. The pilot and three other crew members survided and were taken prisoner.
Warrant Officer John Crawford NZ416818, RNZAF is buried at Reichwald Forest War Cemetery, Germany plot 12.A.2.
Son of J F & Elizabeth Crawford, Hamilton. Husband of Edna Ruth Crawford (nee Edwards), British WAAF, (later Mrs E R Harris), Bartford St Johns, Bloxham, England.
London Gazette
Errol Martyn For your Tomorrow Vol 2
