7th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 2 November 1917.

Crankshaw was a native of Brierfield, Lancashire.

From the Burnley Express of 15 September 1917, Brierfield Soldiers Reward. In a letter to his foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. Graham, of 21, Stanley Street, Brierfield. L/Cpl Crankshaw writes in a very modest manner, informing them, that he has received the Military Medal "for bravery in action on 31 July 1917." He is attached to the Trench Mortar Battery, and has seen much service in many parts of France. He enlisted in September 1914 at the age of 17 years, and, after training in England was drafted to France early in 1915. Although he has passed through heavy fighting in his two and a half years at the front, he has so far come through without a scratch. Previous to enlisting he worked at Messrs. Shaw and Nephew, Pendle View Shed, and was a scholar at the Primitive Methodist Sunday School, and a member of the Institute. His many friends will rejoice at his success.

A similar report appears in the Burnley News of 19 September 1917.