Thomas Joseph Crean

forces.

Details

He was 28 years old, and a Surgeon Captain in the 1st lmperial Light Horse, South African Forces during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On December 18, 1901, during the action at Tygerkloof Spruit, South Africa, Surgeon Capt. Crean, although wounded himself, continued to attend to the wounded in the firing line, under a very heavy fire at only 150 yards range. He did not stop until hit a second time, and, as it was first thought, seriously wounded.

Further information

TJ Crean was a rugby player of note, winning nine caps for Ireland between 1894 and 1896. His first three caps were in the victories over England, Wales and Scotland which saw Ireland win their first ever Triple Crown championship in 1894.

He also toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions touring team in 1896.

He later transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps and reached the rank of major. In 1916 he commanded the 44th Field Ambulance, British Expeditionary Force in France. He died in London, UK, on March 25, 1923, aged forty-nine. His grave is at St. Mary's RC Cemetery, Kensal Rise. Married Victoria Heredia in Malaga in 1905. They had two children, Patrick and Carmen.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum in Aldershot, England.

References

Listed in order of publication year
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
*Irelands VCs (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/lonwest.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(W. London)"