Broken Sword

Charles Messenger

Brigadier General Frank Crozier (1879-1937) was a highly controversial figure in his day. As a young soldier he saw active service in the Boer War and West Africa before being forced to leave the Army because of financial irresponsibility. On the outbreak of war he became second-in-command of a battalion in 36th Ulster Division, becoming its commanding officer in autumn 1915 and leading it in action on 1 July 1916. He commanded a brigade with much success for the rest of the war. After the war he was moved around in the bureaucracy, but could never hold a position for long. After being made bankrupt for a second time, he was involved in the League of Nations Union and then turned to pacifism, becoming a founder member of the Peace Pledge Union. By now he had, through his writings, become a thorn in the side of the Establishment.