Lieutenant Colonel Richard Crosse

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Crosse DSO & Bar (1888 - 1970) was a British Army officer who commanded the 2nd Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (The 52nd) on the Western Front (World War 1). He was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He later joined the Ulster Special Constabulary.

Military service

Richard Banestre Crosse was commissioned into the Oxfordshire Light Infantry in 1906 and was posted to the 2nd battalion known as the 52nd. The regiment became the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in 1908. He was appointed adjutant of the 2nd Ox and Bucks (the 52nd) in March 1913. He was awarded the DSO in January 1915.

On 8 July 1916 Crosse took over command of the 2nd Ox and Bucks (the 52nd). He led the battalion in many battles on the Western Front including on the Somme battlefield at Delville Wood, Guillemont and in the battle of Beaumont Hamel: a large attack on the Redan Ridge in the battle of the Ancre. Later battles included the Battle of Arras (1917) and the battle of the Selle. Crosse was awarded a Bar to the DSO in February 1918. He was wounded in August 1918 and rejoined the battalion in early October 1918. He was Mentioned in Despatches four times. He was appointed a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour in 1917. Crosse remained in command of the battalion to June 1919. He retired from the Army in 1923 and joined the Ulster Special Constabulary in 1924.

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