[1] He appeared in companies led by George Rignold J. C. Williamson, William Anderson, George Marlow, and Bland Holt, best remembered for his role as "Karl Von Pumpernick", the polite lunatic, in an early Melbourne production of The Belle of New York and the burlesque Fun on the Bristol, which starred John F. Sheridan.
He enrolled with the First AIF in July 1916 and was posted to the 18th Reinforcements of the 23rd Battalion.
He served overseas before being attached to the 1st Australian Concert Party, called The Anzac Coves, which was formed by General Birdwood, and became famous in England and Scotland.
[2] Crossley died in a Melbourne hospital and his remains were interred at the Coburg Cemetery.
Crossley married singer and pianist Lilian Kathleen "Lily" Lloyd "Miss Iza Millet" ( – 15 May 1933) in 1899.