Pte
James Wilfred Crichton
Informatie over geboorte
Geboortedatum: 16/03/1886 |
Geboorteplaats: Richmond, Christchurch, Nieuw-Zeeland |
Algemene Informatie
Beroep: Boekhouder |
Informatie legerdienst
Land: Nieuw-Zeeland |
Strijdmacht: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
Rang: Private |
Service nummer: 53904 |
Dienstneming datum: 26/02/1917 |
Dienstneming plaats: Richmond, Christchurch, Nieuw-Zeeland |
Eenheden: — Canterbury Regiment, 1st Bn. (Laatst gekende eenheid) |
Informatie over overlijden
Datum van overlijden: 26/12/1917 |
Plaats van overlijden: Polygoonbos, Zonnebeke, Belgiƫ |
Doodsoorzaak: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
Leeftijd: 31 |
Begraafplaats
Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood Plot: XIII Rij: C Graf: 2 |
Onderscheidingen en medailles 2
British War Medal Medaille |
Victory Medal Medaille |
Points of interest 3
#1 | Geboorteplaats | ||
#2 | Dienstneming plaats | ||
#3 | Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering) |
Mijn verhaal
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.
Bronnen 2
Capt. Ferguson, D., The History of the Canterbury Regiment N.Z.E.F. 1914-1919, (Auckland, Whitcombe and Tombs Limited, 1921), 220-222 & 300. Gebruikte bronnen |
Military Personnel File https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13402527 Gebruikte bronnen |
Meer informatie 5
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/480175 |
Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=6b2900a8-ee54-47db-9197-1babc3921952 |
Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7173113 |
Online Cenotaph (Auckland Museum) https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/c3413 |
The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=57290 |