Thomas Joseph Crean
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Major Thomas Joseph Crean VC DSO (April 19, 1873- March 25, 1923) was born in Dublin, Ireland and educated at Clongowes Wood College and Belvedere College and the at The Royal College of Surgeons, and was an Irish soldier who received the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 yielded Ireland's first ever Triple Crown championship in 1894.
He also toured South Africa with the British Isles touring team in 1896.
He later transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps and reached the rank of major. 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.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum in Aldershot, England.
[edit] 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)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (W. London)
