(There seems to be little readily available information on the life and times of William Crossman. Here is what we presently know.)
?
Born
?
Early education and career
1852
3 January, arrived at Fremantle per Marion as a second lieutenant stationed at Perth, but responsible for works in Albany district; had ports of Albany, Bunbury and roads to them in his charge; appointed magistrate of the colony and visiting magistrate at Albany
1855
3 March, at Albany, married 18 year-old Catherine Josephine Morley (daughter of former Albany Harbour Master)
1856
25 February, returned to England with wife and child (Alice) per Esmerelda
1856-1884
Career: at some stage in his later career he was promoted to rank of captain
worked on the fortifications at Plymouth for War Office
appointed Secretary of the Royal Commission on the Defences of Canada
his wife died and he remarried
1884
knighted
1885
member of Parliament for Portsmouth (until 1892)
1886
retired from the British Army with rank of Major-General
1901
died 19 April
Sources:
The Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians pre-129-1888 Vol I Rica Erickson (1988)
Fremantle Prison Research Files – Royal Engineers (various information)
Royal Engineer: a Life of Sir Edmund DuCane – Alexandra Hasluck (1973)
