CAPTAIN RANDOLPH WILLIAM CRESWELL.
Servian Order of the White Eagle, son of Sir W. R. Creswell, of Toorak, was educated at Melbourne Grammar School. On entering the Engineering School he at once threw his tremendous energy into all forms of University life. He did a brilliant course, was a very fine oar, and was Editor of "The Varsity Engineer." After obtaining his B.M.E. he went to Broken Hill.
Shortly after war was declared he joined Sir Samuel Pethebridge's staff, and went with him to New Guinea. On returning to Victoria he enlisted early in 1915 in the 29th Battalion, A.I.F. He left as a lieutenant in this unit in November, 1915. Shortly after his arrival in Egypt the following month, volunteers were called for the formation of a Camel Corps. Creswell joined, and was ordered for service to the western or Senussi frontier. While stationed here he carried out a particularly fine piece of work. For which he received the Order of the White Eagle of Serbia (5th class). An aeroplane had been lost in the desert over the enemy's frontier. A search party, under Lieutenant Creswell's leadership, found the plane after a dogged and persistent search under heat and other adverse and dangerous conditions that nearly accounted for the whole party.
Promoted to captain soon after this service. he was given command of the 11th Company, then being raised to form part of the new 3rd Battalion (Anzac) of the Imperial Camel Corps.
The I.C.C. Brigade were ordered for service in the Sinai campaign, and he took part in the actions of Magdabba, Raffa, Gaza (both battles).
For the leadership of his company at Raffa he was recommended by his commanding officer, and he was twice mentioned in despatches during his short military career.
In Allenby's great advance in the autumn of 1917 the Anzac Battalion I.C.C. held a post of special importance a short distance west of Beersheba Kuwilfet, and on its being securely held depended in a great measure the whole of our advance. It was consequently attacked by the Turks in great force, but tenaciously held in spite of very heavy casualties by the Came] Corps and a part of the Cheshire Yeomanry. It was while leading his company in the first brunt of the attack at early dawn on the morning of 6th November, 1917, that Captain R. W. Creswell was killed. The night before the attack he was struck on the forehead while asleep by a spent ball, but declined to go off duty.
Thus died a most promising soldier and engineer, and one whose absence has been felt in many useful spheres of activity.
[Varsity Engineer Memorial Book, University of Melbourne]
Serbian Order of the White Eagle
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