Career

Crombie joined the Royal Navy in 1913. He served in World War I in the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth and then in the destroyer HMS Oak. He also served in World World War II as Commanding Officer of the minesweeper HMS Bramble, as Senior Officer for Minesweepers in the White Sea and then as Director of Minesweeping at the Admiralty from 1943.

After the War he became Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier HMS Vengeance before taking over command of the Royal Navy Signal School in 1948.

He became Flag Officer, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 1951 and retired in 1953.