The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Crossman, Major-General Sir William
Crossman, Major-General Sir William, R.E., K.C.M.G., A.M.I.C.E., F.R.G.S., J.P., eldest son of the late Robert Crossman, of Cheswick, Northumberland, by Sarah, his wife, daughter of Edmund Douglas, of Kingston-on-Thames, was born at Isleworth, Middlesex, on June 30th, 1830. He was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and entered the army as lieutenant R.E. in Dec 1848. He was appointed captain in 1858, major in 1872, lieut.-colonel in 1873, colonel in 1878, and retired with the rank of major-general in Jan. 1886. Sir William has held a large number of civil appointments, and was in charge of various public works in Western Australia from 1852 to 1856. He was also a visiting magistrate of the colony. Sir William married in 1855 Catherine Josephine, daughter of John Lawrence Morley, of Albany, W.A. He was created C.M.G. on May 1st, 1877, and K.C.M.G. on May 24th, 1884. He was returned at the head of the poll as M.P. for Portsmouth, in the Liberal interest, in Nov. 1885, and again in 1886 as a Liberal Unionist.