Sydney Crookshank
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Major-General Sir Sydney D'Aguilar Crookshank KCMG CB CIE DSO MVO (3 June 1870 – 17 August 1941) was a British military engineer who served with the Royal Engineers in the British Army and the British Indian Army. Most of his early career was spent in colonial service; he later served as a senior officer during the First World War.[1]
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As a temporary lieutenant-colonel he was Commander, Royal Engineers (CRE), of 47th (1/2nd London) Division on the Western Front from 30 July 1915 to 27 November 1916.[2][3][4] On 21 May 1916 in the Vimy sector the Germans fired a mine and attacked the division's positions in overwhelming numbers. The situation was so critical for a while that Crookshank brought his Sappers of 47th (2nd London) Divisional Engineers up to man the trenches as infantry.[5][6] He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order on 3 June 1916.[7] In January 1917 he was promoted to the temporary rank of brigadier general and made a chief engineer[8] of XV Corps.[9] He was made an officer of the French Legion of Honour in December 1917.[10]
Later, as a major general he was appointed Director-General (Transportation) of the British Armies in France on 19 March 1918.[11]
After the war, Crookshank was appointed honorary colonel of 47th (2nd London) Divisional Engineers on 3 March 1923.[12][13]
In February 1936 he succeeded Lieutenant General Sir George Fowke as colonel commandant of the Royal Engineers.[14]
