Mr John Crossley was born at 24 Ritchie Place in Belfast, Ireland on 12 June 1878. He was the son of John Crossley, a dealer, and Jane Wilson who were unmarried at the time of his birth and would not wed until 1881. He was baptised in St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on 15 June 1878. 

Crossley was married in St Matthew’s Church, Belfast on 18 September 1897; described as a 19-year-old labourer, his address was given as 32 Millfield. His bride was Margaret Fitzsimmons, a linen spinner. Their baby son John, who was to be their only child, arrived the following April.
The small family appear on the 1901 census as residents of 26 Massareene Street. By 1911 they were living at 26 Massareene Street and John was described as a general labourer.

In June 1908 Crossley had joined the Royal Irish Rifles and trained at Ballykinlar, Co Down, presenting himself each year for retraining. 

Crossley’s ship prior to Titanic had been the Olympic. He joined Titanic at Belfast for the delivery trip to Southampton where he then disembarked.

With the outbreak of WWI John Crossley was posted to France in December 1914, serving there until the following September, receiving two gunshot wounds on two different occasions. He returned to his family but his activities over the following years are unknown. 

John Crossley, whose last address was 55 Cullington Street in Belfast, died on 31 December 1941 but his resting place is unknown.