James Crichton : Short Biography

James Crichton was born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, on the 15th of July 1879. He grew up in Scotland, in West Lothian.

As a young man, Crichton enlisted in the British military forces. He served with the Cameron Highlanders in the Boer War, after which he relocated to New Zealand. Crichton settled in Auckland and when the First World War broke out, volunteered with the New Zealand expeditionary forces. 

On the 30th of September 1918, Crichton was posted in Crevecoeur, France when he was wounded in the foot. In spite of his injury, he remained with his battalion, crossing rivers and canals amongst other obstacles. When they came under enemy fire, Crichton carried a message to the troops, an act which required him to swim across a river that was being swept with machine gun fire. Crichton was successful in his mission, after which he rejoined his platoon. He then saved a bridge from destruction by bomb, purely on his own initiative. He successfully removed the fuses and detonators, all the while under heavy fire from the enemy. 

For his bravery in the war efforts, Crichton was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross. 

After his retirement from military service Crichton returned to his life in New Zealand where he worked as a cable splicer. 

Crichton died in Takapuna, New Zealand on the 25th of September 1961. He is buried in the Waikumete Memorial Park Soldiers Cemetery in Auckland.