Pte
James Wilfred Crichton
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 16/03/1886 |
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Place of birth: Richmond, Christchurch, New Zealand |
General information
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Profession: Accountant |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 53904 |
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Enlistment date: 26/02/1917 |
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Enlistment place: Richmond, Christchurch, New Zealand |
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Units: — Canterbury Regiment, 1st Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 26/12/1917 |
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Place of death: Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 31 |
Cemetery
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Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood Plot: XIII Row: C Grave: 2 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private James Wilfred Crichton was born on March 16th 1886 in Christchurch, New Zealand. He was the son of William Stuart and Mary Crichton and worked as an accountant before his enlistment in the army. When he enlisted he joined the 1st Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment, New Zealand Division.
After the Third Battle of Ypres, the New Zealand Division was stationed in the line in and around the Polygon Wood area. In the beginning of December, an attempt was made to capture the Polderhoek Chateau to improve their positions and take the high points of the area from the enemy. They made some small gains, but suffered very heavy casualties. They were able (during the attack) to move the line slightly forward and to avoid further losses it was decided that they would hold and consolidate that new front line.
On the night of 22nd/23rd December the 1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment relieved the 3rd Bn. Canterbury Regiment, where they were in close support to the frontline. Private Crichton was killed in action on the 26th December while holding the line. He was originally buried between Nonnebosschen and Polygon Wood (J.9.c.50.50.). After the war he was reburied at Buttes New British Cemetery.
After the Third Battle of Ypres, the New Zealand Division was stationed in the line in and around the Polygon Wood area. In the beginning of December, an attempt was made to capture the Polderhoek Chateau to improve their positions and take the high points of the area from the enemy. They made some small gains, but suffered very heavy casualties. They were able (during the attack) to move the line slightly forward and to avoid further losses it was decided that they would hold and consolidate that new front line.
On the night of 22nd/23rd December the 1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment relieved the 3rd Bn. Canterbury Regiment, where they were in close support to the frontline. Private Crichton was killed in action on the 26th December while holding the line. He was originally buried between Nonnebosschen and Polygon Wood (J.9.c.50.50.). After the war he was reburied at Buttes New British Cemetery.
Sources 2
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Capt. Ferguson, D., The History of the Canterbury Regiment N.Z.E.F. 1914-1919, (Auckland, Whitcombe and Tombs Limited, 1921), 220-222 & 300. Sources used |
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Military Personnel File https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13402527 Sources used |
More information 5
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/480175 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=6b2900a8-ee54-47db-9197-1babc3921952 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7173113 |
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Online Cenotaph (Auckland Museum) https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/c3413 |
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=57290 |