Thomas Joseph Crean
Encyclopedia
Major Dr. Thomas Joseph Crean, VC, DSO (born Dublin, Ireland
, 19 April 1873; died Mayfair
, London
, England
, 25 March 1923) was an Irish rugby union
player, British Army
soldier and doctor
. During the Second Boer War
, while serving with the Imperial Light Horse, he was awarded the Victoria Cross
. His VC medal is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum
. In 1902, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
. During the First World War he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps
and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order
. On 1 August 2001 the South African Post Office issued a stamp featuring Crean as part of their commemorations for the Second Boer War.
Crean played rugby for Leinster
, Ireland
and the British Isles
. In 1894
, he was a member of the first Ireland team to win both a Home Nations Championship
and a Triple Crown
. Then in 1896
he helped Ireland win their second Home Nations title. He is one of three Ireland rugby union internationals to have been awarded the Victoria Cross. The other two are Robert Johnston, who also served with the Imperial Light Horse in the Second Boer War, and Frederick Harvey
who served in the First World War. Crean, Johnston and Harvey all played club rugby for Wanderers. In 1896
Crean and Johnston were also members of the same British Isles squad that toured South Africa.
.
and Nassau Street in Dublin. Some accounts give his place of birth as No. 21 Northbrook Road, the Crean’s family home at the time he won the VC in 1901. He was the fifth child of Michael Theobald Crean, a barrister
who worked for the Irish Land Commission
, and his wife Emma. His maternal grandparents, John and Maryanne Dunn, were the owners of the hotel where he was born. The Dunn’s residence was Esker House, Upper Rathmines Road, and Crean’s three older sisters - Mary, Emma and Eleanor – were all born there. Both his older and younger brothers, John and Frank, were also born at Morrison’s Hotel. A third brother, Richard, died as an infant, and a fourth sister, Alice Mary, was born in 1879 in the Crean family home at No. 7 Upper Pembroke Street. Alice would later marry Alexander Findlater Todd
, one of Crean's rugby team-mates on the 1896 British Isles tour of South Africa. John followed in his father's footsteps becoming a barrister in the Land Commission. Frank studied engineering, emigrating to Canada
where he undertook a survey of Saskatchewan
in 1908-09 on behalf of the Canadian Government.
before becoming boarders at Clongowes Wood College
. Thomas attended Clongowes from 1889 until 1891. As a student he was noted as a fine athlete, excelling not only at rugby but also at both the quarter and half mile running events. He was also a very fine swimmer, and it was as a swimmer that he first demonstrated his bravery. On September 11, 1891, while swimming with fellow students near Blackrock, Dublin, he helped rescue a 21 year old art student named, William Ahern. Crean noticed Ahern was in trouble and together with a young solicitor
named Leachman from Dundrum
, he managed to bring him ashore. For his bravery he was awarded a medal by the Royal Humane Society
.
In October 1891 Crean commenced his medical studies at the Royal College of Surgeons
and after graduating as a doctor in 1896, he became a Licentiate
of both the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians
.
, Crean also served as captain of the hospital’s rugby team for four years. He went onto represent Leinster
against both Ulster
and Munster
in 1894, 1895 and 1896. During the 1895-96 season he also played for Richmond
, possibly working as a medic in London
at the same time, and when he moved to South Africa
he played for Johannesburg Wanderers.
and 1896
, Crean made 9 appearances and scored two tries for Ireland
. He made his international debut on 3 February 1894 in a 7-5 win against England
at Blackheath. On 24 February he helped Ireland defeat Scotland
5-0 at Lansdowne Road
. Then on 10 March he helped Ireland win both the 1894 Home Nations Championship
and their first ever Triple Crown
with a 3-0 win against Wales
in Belfast
. Among his team mates during the 1894 campaign was Lucius Gwynn
. Crean also played in all three games during both the 1895
and 1896 Home Nations Championship
s. He scored both of his tries against Wales. The first came on 16 March 1895 in a 5-3 defeat at Cardiff Arms Park
. Crean showed his strength and drive when he scored Ireland’s only points by catching a long line-out throw before driving across the line with a number of Welshmen hanging out of him. The second try came at Lansdowne in an 8-4 win on 14 March 1896. The win helped Ireland win their second Home Nations title. This latter game would also be his final appearance for Ireland.
.
squad on their tour to South Africa
. He was part of strong Irish contingent, being one of nine Irishmen selected. The others included Robert Johnston, Louis Magee
, James Magee
, Larry Bulger
, Jim Sealy
, Andrew Clinch
, Arthur Meares
and Cecil Boyd
. He played in all four tests against South Africa
and scored a try in the second. The tour captain, Johnny Hammond
, only played in seven of the 21 games and Crean took over the captains role in his absence, including for two of the Test games
.
When the British Isles tour ended, Crean decided to stay on in South Africa
, working as a doctor in a hospital in Johannesburg and playing rugby for Johannesburg Wanderers. In 1899, at the start of the Second Boer War
, he enlisted as a trooper
in the Imperial Light Horse and took part in both the Relief of Mafeking and the Relief of Ladysmith
. On 26 October 1899, according to the Irish Times, the Imperial Light Horse particularly distinguished themselves in the Battle of Elandslaagete. The Irish Times of the following day reported with regret that the list of wounded included Crean. It was during this engagement that that Crean’s former Wanderers and British Isles' team mate Robert Johnston won his Victoria Cross
. In 1901, he became a Surgeon Captain
and on 18 December, at the Battle of Tygerkloof, he won his VC when he successfully attended the wounds of two soldiers and a fellow officer under heavy enemy fire. He was wounded in the stomach and arm during these encounters and was invalided back to England
where he made a full recovery. On 13 March 1902, he was presented with the Victoria Cross by Edward VII in a ceremony at St. James's Palace
. The citation read:
One week later, on 20 March 1902, the members of St. Vincent’s Hospital
Football Club gave a dinner at the Dolphin Hotel in his honour. In the same year, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
. Between 1902 until 1906 he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps
.
, Spain
, and had a son, Patrick, and a daughter, Carmen. He retired from the army on 8 September 1906, and started a private practice in Harley Street
. However, following the outbreak of the First World War, he rejoined the Royal Army Medical Corps
on 12 August 1914. He served with the 1st Cavalry Brigade, being wounded several times and was twice mentioned in despatches. In June 1915 he was made a companion of the Distinguished Service Order
. He was promoted to Major
on 26 February 1916, and commanded the 44th Field Ambulance, British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front
.
where he once performed a life saving trepanning operation on a jockey who was thrown from his horse during a race. He ran out onto the course in his shirt sleeves and saved the jockey's life by removing portions of the bones of his skull with a hammer and chisel. He also returned to his practice in Harley Street
but by now his war service had begun to seriously affect his health and he was unable to maintain the business. Towards the end of his life Crean suffered from financial difficulties and in June 1922 he was declared bankrupt. He died from diabetes on 25 March 1923, aged 49, at his residence 13 Queen Street, Mayfair
, London
. He is buried in St. Mary’s R.C. Cemetery, Kensal Green
, (Grave No. 896). His father, Michael Theobald Crean, is buried in the same cemetery but at a different plot.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, 19 April 1873; died Mayfair
Mayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, 25 March 1923) was an Irish rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player, British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
soldier and doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
. During the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
, while serving with the Imperial Light Horse, he was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. His VC medal is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum
Army Medical Services Museum
The Army Medical Services Museum is located in the Defence Medical Services Training Centre, Keogh Barracks, on Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett, Surrey, England. It moved into its present building in 1982...
. In 1902, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , is a Dublin-based medical institution, situated on St. Stephen's Green. The college is one of the five Recognised Colleges of the National University of Ireland...
. During the First World War he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
. On 1 August 2001 the South African Post Office issued a stamp featuring Crean as part of their commemorations for the Second Boer War.
Crean played rugby for Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
, Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
and the British Isles
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
. In 1894
1894 Home Nations Championship
The 1894 Home Nations Championship was the twelfth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 6 January and 17 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
, he was a member of the first Ireland team to win both a Home Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
and a Triple Crown
Triple Crown (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the four national teams of the British Isles who compete within the larger Six Nations Championship: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. If any one team manages to win all their games against the other three they win the...
. Then in 1896
1896 Home Nations Championship
The 1896 Home Nations Championship was the fourteenth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 4 January and 14 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
he helped Ireland win their second Home Nations title. He is one of three Ireland rugby union internationals to have been awarded the Victoria Cross. The other two are Robert Johnston, who also served with the Imperial Light Horse in the Second Boer War, and Frederick Harvey
Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey
Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey VC, CBE, MC, Croix de Guerre was an Irish Canadian rugby union player and soldier. During the First World War, while serving in the Canadian Army, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre. He was later awarded a CBE...
who served in the First World War. Crean, Johnston and Harvey all played club rugby for Wanderers. In 1896
1896 British Lions tour to South Africa
1896 British Isles tour to South Africa was a rugby union tour undertaken by the British Isles, one of the first British and Irish Lions tours. The team toured South Africa for the second time in 1896. Between July 11 and September 5, they played 21 games, including four tests against South Africa...
Crean and Johnston were also members of the same British Isles squad that toured South Africa.
.
Family
Crean, was born in Morrison's Hotel, which stood on the corner of Dawson StreetDawson Street
Dawson Street is one of the main streets of central Dublin, running parallel to Grafton Street, to which it is connected by Duke Street and South Anne Street...
and Nassau Street in Dublin. Some accounts give his place of birth as No. 21 Northbrook Road, the Crean’s family home at the time he won the VC in 1901. He was the fifth child of Michael Theobald Crean, a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
who worked for the Irish Land Commission
Irish Land Commission
The Irish Land Commission was created in 1881 as a rent fixing commission by the Land Law Act 1881, also known as the second Irish Land Act...
, and his wife Emma. His maternal grandparents, John and Maryanne Dunn, were the owners of the hotel where he was born. The Dunn’s residence was Esker House, Upper Rathmines Road, and Crean’s three older sisters - Mary, Emma and Eleanor – were all born there. Both his older and younger brothers, John and Frank, were also born at Morrison’s Hotel. A third brother, Richard, died as an infant, and a fourth sister, Alice Mary, was born in 1879 in the Crean family home at No. 7 Upper Pembroke Street. Alice would later marry Alexander Findlater Todd
Alexander Todd (rugby player)
Alexander Findlater Todd was an English rugby union forward who played for Cambridge University and Blackheath F.C. at club level, and Kent at county level...
, one of Crean's rugby team-mates on the 1896 British Isles tour of South Africa. John followed in his father's footsteps becoming a barrister in the Land Commission. Frank studied engineering, emigrating to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
where he undertook a survey of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
in 1908-09 on behalf of the Canadian Government.
Education
Crean and his brothers all initially attended Belvedere CollegeBelvedere College
Belvedere College SJ is a private secondary school for boys located on Great Denmark Street, Dublin, Ireland. It is also known as St. Francis Xavier's College....
before becoming boarders at Clongowes Wood College
Clongowes Wood College
Clongowes Wood College is a voluntary secondary boarding school for boys, located near Clane in County Kildare, Ireland. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1814, it is one of Ireland's oldest Catholic schools, and featured prominently in James Joyce's semi-autobiographical novel A Portrait of the...
. Thomas attended Clongowes from 1889 until 1891. As a student he was noted as a fine athlete, excelling not only at rugby but also at both the quarter and half mile running events. He was also a very fine swimmer, and it was as a swimmer that he first demonstrated his bravery. On September 11, 1891, while swimming with fellow students near Blackrock, Dublin, he helped rescue a 21 year old art student named, William Ahern. Crean noticed Ahern was in trouble and together with a young solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
named Leachman from Dundrum
Dundrum, Dublin
Dundrum , originally a town in its own right, is now a suburb of Dublin in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Ireland.The area is located in the postal districts of Dublin 14 and Dublin 16.-History:...
, he managed to bring him ashore. For his bravery he was awarded a medal by the Royal Humane Society
Royal Humane Society
The Royal Humane Society is a British charity which promotes lifesaving intervention. It was founded in England in 1774 as the Society for the Recovery of Persons Apparently Drowned, for the purpose of rendering first aid in cases of near drowning....
.
In October 1891 Crean commenced his medical studies at the Royal College of Surgeons
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , is a Dublin-based medical institution, situated on St. Stephen's Green. The college is one of the five Recognised Colleges of the National University of Ireland...
and after graduating as a doctor in 1896, he became a Licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
of both the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
.
Clubs and Province
As a student Crean played at half-back and on joining Wanderers in 1891 he played in the same position for their third XV. However after switching to the forward row for the 1892-93 season, he was quickly promoted to their senior side. While working as a young doctor in St. Vincent’s HospitalSt. Vincent's University Hospital
St. Vincent's Hospital is a teaching hospital located at Elm Park, south of the city of Dublin, Ireland. It is at the junction of Merrion Road and Nutley Lane opposite the Merrion Centre and adjacent to Elm Park Golf Club.-History:St. Vincent's Hospital was founded in 1834 on St...
, Crean also served as captain of the hospital’s rugby team for four years. He went onto represent Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
against both Ulster
Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
and Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
in 1894, 1895 and 1896. During the 1895-96 season he also played for Richmond
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
, possibly working as a medic in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at the same time, and when he moved to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
he played for Johannesburg Wanderers.
Ireland
Between 18941894 Home Nations Championship
The 1894 Home Nations Championship was the twelfth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 6 January and 17 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
and 1896
1896 Home Nations Championship
The 1896 Home Nations Championship was the fourteenth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 4 January and 14 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
, Crean made 9 appearances and scored two tries for Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
. He made his international debut on 3 February 1894 in a 7-5 win against England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
at Blackheath. On 24 February he helped Ireland defeat Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
5-0 at Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road was a stadium in Dublin owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union that has been the location of a number of sports stadiums. It was used primarily for rugby union and for association football matches as well as some music concerts...
. Then on 10 March he helped Ireland win both the 1894 Home Nations Championship
1894 Home Nations Championship
The 1894 Home Nations Championship was the twelfth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 6 January and 17 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
and their first ever Triple Crown
Triple Crown (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the four national teams of the British Isles who compete within the larger Six Nations Championship: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. If any one team manages to win all their games against the other three they win the...
with a 3-0 win against Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Among his team mates during the 1894 campaign was Lucius Gwynn
Lucius Gwynn
Lucius Henry Gwynn was an Irish rugby union player and cricketer...
. Crean also played in all three games during both the 1895
1895 Home Nations Championship
The 1895 Home Nations Championship was the thirteenth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 5 January and 16 March...
and 1896 Home Nations Championship
1896 Home Nations Championship
The 1896 Home Nations Championship was the fourteenth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 4 January and 14 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
s. He scored both of his tries against Wales. The first came on 16 March 1895 in a 5-3 defeat at Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park , also known as The Arms Park, is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green, and is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. The Arms Park was host to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and hosted four games in the 1991 Rugby World...
. Crean showed his strength and drive when he scored Ireland’s only points by catching a long line-out throw before driving across the line with a number of Welshmen hanging out of him. The second try came at Lansdowne in an 8-4 win on 14 March 1896. The win helped Ireland win their second Home Nations title. This latter game would also be his final appearance for Ireland.
.
British Lions
In 1896 Crean was a member of the British IslesBritish and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
squad on their tour to South Africa
1896 British Lions tour to South Africa
1896 British Isles tour to South Africa was a rugby union tour undertaken by the British Isles, one of the first British and Irish Lions tours. The team toured South Africa for the second time in 1896. Between July 11 and September 5, they played 21 games, including four tests against South Africa...
. He was part of strong Irish contingent, being one of nine Irishmen selected. The others included Robert Johnston, Louis Magee
Louis Magee
Aloysius Mary "Louis" Magee was an Irish rugby union halfback. Magee played club rugby for Bective Rangers and London Irish and played international rugby for Ireland and was part of the British Isles team in their 1896 tour of South Africa.Magee was capped 27 times for Ireland, ten as captain,...
, James Magee
James Magee
James Mary Magee was an Irish cricketer and rugby union player. Magee was capped in both sports, playing cricket for Ireland and in 1896 he was part of the British Isles team that toured South Africa.-Cricket career:Magee was born in Dublin in 1872 and was educated at Clongowes Wood College in...
, Larry Bulger
Lawrence Bulger
Lawrence 'Larry' Quinlivan Bulger was an Irish rugby union player, athlete and doctor. Bulger played international rugby for Ireland and in 1896 was chosen to represent a British Isles XV in their tour of South Africa...
, Jim Sealy
Jim Sealy
James "Jim" Sealy, was an Irish rugby union player who won nine caps for Ireland and four for the British Isles. During his international career, Sealey represented Dublin University at club level.-References:...
, Andrew Clinch
Andrew Clinch
Andrew Daniel Clinch , was an Irish rugby union forward who played club rugby for Dublin University and international rugby for Ireland and the British Isles.-Biography:...
, Arthur Meares
Arthur Meares
Arthur William Devenish Meares, also known as Arthur William Devenish-Meares or "Newry" Meares was an Irish rugby union player who won four caps for Ireland and two for the British Isles....
and Cecil Boyd
Cecil Boyd
Dr. Cecil Anderson Boyd MC was an Irish rugby union player, and doctor. Boyd played international rugby for Ireland and in 1896 was chosen to represent a British Isles XV in their tour of South Africa...
. He played in all four tests against South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
and scored a try in the second. The tour captain, Johnny Hammond
Johnny Hammond (rugby player)
John "Johnny" Hammond was an English rugby union forward who, although not capped for England, was part of three British Lions tours, all to South Africa. He gained three caps during the 1891 tour to South Africa and captained the 1896 tour, winning another two test caps...
, only played in seven of the 21 games and Crean took over the captains role in his absence, including for two of the Test games
.
Second Boer War
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, working as a doctor in a hospital in Johannesburg and playing rugby for Johannesburg Wanderers. In 1899, at the start of the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
, he enlisted as a trooper
Trooper (rank)
Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
in the Imperial Light Horse and took part in both the Relief of Mafeking and the Relief of Ladysmith
Relief of Ladysmith
When the Second Boer War broke out on 11 October 1899, the Boers had a numeric superiority within Southern Africa. They quickly invaded the British territory and laid siege to Ladysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking...
. On 26 October 1899, according to the Irish Times, the Imperial Light Horse particularly distinguished themselves in the Battle of Elandslaagete. The Irish Times of the following day reported with regret that the list of wounded included Crean. It was during this engagement that that Crean’s former Wanderers and British Isles' team mate Robert Johnston won his Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. In 1901, he became a Surgeon Captain
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
and on 18 December, at the Battle of Tygerkloof, he won his VC when he successfully attended the wounds of two soldiers and a fellow officer under heavy enemy fire. He was wounded in the stomach and arm during these encounters and was invalided back to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
where he made a full recovery. On 13 March 1902, he was presented with the Victoria Cross by Edward VII in a ceremony at St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest palaces. It is situated in Pall Mall, just north of St. James's Park. Although no sovereign has resided there for almost two centuries, it has remained the official residence of the Sovereign and the most senior royal palace in the UK...
. The citation read:
One week later, on 20 March 1902, the members of St. Vincent’s Hospital
St. Vincent's University Hospital
St. Vincent's Hospital is a teaching hospital located at Elm Park, south of the city of Dublin, Ireland. It is at the junction of Merrion Road and Nutley Lane opposite the Merrion Centre and adjacent to Elm Park Golf Club.-History:St. Vincent's Hospital was founded in 1834 on St...
Football Club gave a dinner at the Dolphin Hotel in his honour. In the same year, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , is a Dublin-based medical institution, situated on St. Stephen's Green. The college is one of the five Recognised Colleges of the National University of Ireland...
. Between 1902 until 1906 he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
.
First World War
In 1905, Crean married Victoria, daughter of Senor Don Thomas Heredia, of MalagaMálaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and had a son, Patrick, and a daughter, Carmen. He retired from the army on 8 September 1906, and started a private practice in Harley Street
Harley Street
Harley Street is a street in the City of Westminster in London, England which has been noted since the 19th century for its large number of private specialists in medicine and surgery.- Overview :...
. However, following the outbreak of the First World War, he rejoined the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
on 12 August 1914. He served with the 1st Cavalry Brigade, being wounded several times and was twice mentioned in despatches. In June 1915 he was made a companion of the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
. He was promoted to Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
on 26 February 1916, and commanded the 44th Field Ambulance, British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
.
Later years
After the war Crean was appointed Medical Officer in Charge of the Hospital in the Royal Enclosure, AscotAscot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
where he once performed a life saving trepanning operation on a jockey who was thrown from his horse during a race. He ran out onto the course in his shirt sleeves and saved the jockey's life by removing portions of the bones of his skull with a hammer and chisel. He also returned to his practice in Harley Street
Harley Street
Harley Street is a street in the City of Westminster in London, England which has been noted since the 19th century for its large number of private specialists in medicine and surgery.- Overview :...
but by now his war service had begun to seriously affect his health and he was unable to maintain the business. Towards the end of his life Crean suffered from financial difficulties and in June 1922 he was declared bankrupt. He died from diabetes on 25 March 1923, aged 49, at his residence 13 Queen Street, Mayfair
Mayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He is buried in St. Mary’s R.C. Cemetery, Kensal Green
Kensal Green
Kensal Green, also referred to as Kensal Rise is an area of London, England. It is located on the southern edge of the London Borough of Brent and borders the City of Westminster to the East and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the South....
, (Grave No. 896). His father, Michael Theobald Crean, is buried in the same cemetery but at a different plot.
Sources
- www.angelfire.com
- www.irishrugby.ie
- Medal Society of Ireland
- The Register of the Victoria CrossThe Register of the Victoria CrossThe Register of the Victoria Cross is a reference work that provides brief information on every Victoria Cross ever awarded: it provides a summary of the deed, along with a photograph of the awardee and the following details where applicable or available; rank, unit, other decorations, date of...
(1981, 1988 and 1997) - Irelands VCs (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to CourageMonuments to CourageMonuments to Courage: Victoria Cross Monuments and Headstones is a two-volume book by David Harvey on the last resting places of 1,322 of the 1,350 recipients of the Victoria Cross. The 896 page book has over 5,000 illustrations and a large index enabling one to cross reference with ease. There is...
(David Harvey, 1999) - Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)