He joined the Queensland Typographical Association (QTA), which by the late 1880s was one of the strongest printers' union in Australia.

He was elected president of the QTA in February 1892, holding office until July 1893 and also serving as a delegate to the Australian Labour Federation.

[2] In 1895 Crawford moved to the country, purchasing land near Mossman, Queensland and becoming a successful sugar cane grower.

In May 1941, Crawford announced that he would leave the UAP and sit as an independent, in protest at the composition of the Third Menzies ministry – specifically the failure of prime minister Robert Menzies to include MPs who had voted for his opponent Billy Hughes in the UAP leadership ballot.

His funeral was held at the Albert Street Methodist Church and proceeded to the Mount Thompson crematorium.