On 3 September 1939 Acting Pilot Officer F S Crawford was graded as a Pilot Officer on probation (London Gazette 10 October 1939). His appointment was confirmed on 31 October 1939 (London Gazette 14 November 1939).
Francis served with 224 Squadron Coastal Command flying Hudson MkI aircraft based at RAF Leuchars, Fife.
On 15 June 1940 three Hudsons, N7217, N7270 and N7279, took off to attack Sola airfield in Norway. They were intercepted by Bf109 fighters from 5/JG77 and all three were lost. Ofw Anton Hackl claimed two of the Hudsons shot down while the third was claimed either by flak or Fw Petermann.
Hudson MkI N7279 QX-U
Pilot Officer N Ewart
Pilot Officer F S Crawford (41588)
Sergeant E Pearce
AC1 T Martin
Pilot Officer Francis Sirius Crawford is commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial panel 7.
Commonwealth War Graves CommisionLondon Gazette
Fledgling Eagles by Chris Shores
Andy Fletcher
