Ordinary Seaman Samuel Sloan Crawford (P/UDX1273) served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. Born on 25th August 1912, he was the son of William Crawford and Margaret Crawford (née Ritchie) of Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim.
Samuel married Isabella Crawford of Templepatrick, Co. Antrim. The couple set up home at Concrete Row, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim and had a daughter named Margaret Crawford.
Samuel served at H.M.S. Victory, the main Royal Navy base in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England at his time of death. He died on 2nd February 1940 aged 27 years old at Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. His cause of death was accidental:
inhalation of carbon dioxide substituted in error for nitrous oxide cylinder.
Samuel Sloan Crawford’s grave is in Section SS, Grave 61 of Carnmoney Cemetery, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim. His headstone bears the inscription:
In the midst of life we are in death.