Universities at War

John was the son of Robert Crozier and Agnes Henderson from Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne. By the time of the 1911 census however, Agnes was a widow. John had six siblings; Agnes Annie, Jane Grace, Robert Charner, William Cuthbert, Isabella Mary and Jessie.

He was educated at Rutherford College and then Armstrong College. Prior to the outbreak of war, he was an assistant master under the Newcastle Education Committee. He studied at Armstrong College between 1910 and 1913 where he gained a BSc. (Pure Science) in 1913.

John was commissioned into the Northumberland Fusiliers, 4th Battalion in August 1914. He later attained the rank of Captain. John went to the front in May 1915.

He died on 15th September 1916 aged 25. This was during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette phase of the Somme, lasting from the 15th to the 22nd Septembers 1916. It was a general renewal of the offensive after weeks of attritional fighting. It is a notable battle as it was the first use of tanks in battle.