010 Chrichton Pl Hastings, Street view 2017
Reason for the name
Crichton Place Havelock North, is named in honour of Private James Crichton VC. James had two service numbers 4971 - Queen’s Cameron Highlanders (British Army) and 14/131 – Auckland Infantry Regiment
About James (Scotty) Crichton
He was born on 15 July 1879 in Carrickfergus, County Antrim Ireland. His father was William Crichton and his Mother was Elizabeth (Bell) Crichton. He was one of 6 children. He moved with his family to the hamlet of Northrigg, Lanarkshire, Scotland when he was a young boy. At the age of 10 he was working down the mines as was his father. Shortly before the outbreak of World War 1 James immigrated to New Zealand and settled in Auckland taking up work with the Post & Telegraph department as a cable joiner.
When the Boer (South African) war broke out James at age 20 enlisted in the British Army in the regiment of the Cameron Highlanders.
His description at time of enlistment was that he was 5ft 3-4 inches tall had pale complexion hazel eyes and black hair and he weighed 125lbs. Distinctive marks noted were a scar on the back of his head and Tattoos one on his back and one on his left forearm.
When World War 1 broke out in 1914 James enlisted in the New Zealand Army at the age of 35.
Author: Helen Gelletly HDC
South African War 1899-1902
James joined the Cameron Highlanders and was based at home from when he enlisted in 1899 to 22 Feb 1900. He was based in Gibraltar from 23 Feb 1900 to 9 August 1901. From 10 August 1901 until 9 October 1902 James served in South Africa. He returned home on 10 October 1902.
World War 1 1914-1918
Enlisted in the New Zealand Army on 22/8/1914 and was assigned to the New Zealand Army Service Corps. He was transferred to the 1st Australian Division on 24/4/1915.
On 25/3/1916 he transferred to a field bakery NZ Army Service Corps
23/3/1916 James was promoted to SQMS (Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant) at Rouen the New Zealand Infantry Force base in France.
23/2/1916 – promoted to Warrant Officer 2nd class
2/4/1918 detached to NZ Division Wing 2nd Corps Rouen camp
18/4/1916 – appointed Baker
19/5/1918 - gain Battalion for Corps reinforcement likely to become fit for service overseas after special training NZ Army Corps
17/6/1918 NZASC Reverted to ranks at own request and applied for transfer to NZ Rifle Brigade (private) applies for transfer to PF Battalion NZ Rifle Brigade
17/6/1918 transferred to Auckland Regiment
27/8/1918 joins battalion
12/10/1918 Load Reported wounded 30/9/1918
12/10/1918 Admission 12th General Hospital Rouen
12/10/1918 Saw foot 1st NZ general Hospital
20/12/1918 Discharged from hospital 13/10/1918
18/9/1919 Discharged from service no longer physically fit for service on account of injuries received in action.
The above was transcribed from the NZ War Service Records History Sheet
At the end of September 1918 James became the last New Zealand soldier to win a Victoria Cross (VC) in World War 1.
James Crichton was an unusual soldier and in April 1918 after serving with the first field bakery in Gallopoli and France, James requested to transfer to an infantry unit, although he was nearly 40 years old he gave up his rank of Warrant Officer to join the 2nd Auckland Battalion as a private.
During the crossing of the Scheldt River near Crevecoeur James Crichton’s Platoon ran into serious trouble. It became trapped on an island in the middle of the river when German machine gun fire swept the stone bridge leading from the island, killing several men, including the Platoon Commander and Senior NCO. To make matters worse the bridge had been prepared for demolition with explosives and mines. The platoon needed to communicate the desperate situation back to company headquarters.
Despite having been wounded in the foot by machine gun fire Private Crichton volunteered for this dangerous task. He swam the river fully clothed, hauled himself up onto an exposed bank in full view of the Germans and sprinted over the 100 yards of broken ground to report to company headquarters. As if this wasn’t enough he then returned back to the isolated platoon, carrying the company commander’s message to hold on.
On his own initiative Crichton then located the explosive demolitions and although under fire from machine guns and snipers, he managed to remove the fuses and detonators, which he put in his pocket; the explosive mines he placed in the water. Crichton was then told to report what he had done to the company commander so he completed the dangerous trip a third time. He was about to rejoin his platoon when the company commander ordered him to remain at his headquarters. While at the company headquarters Crichton helped the stretcher bearers there with their heavy loads until the pain of his wound became too obvious. He was then sent under protest to a field hospital.
As a result of these incredible actions James Crichton was recommended for the VC. Four eye witness statements supported the recommendation, the one written by Captain James Evans outlining Crichton’s actions:
“I consider he [Crichton] showed the greatest courage in crossing the ground to deliver his messages as others were killed or wounded doing the same and I would not allow men to cross it”.
The recommendation was successful and duly gazetted on 12 November 1918
James Crichton was discharged from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in September 1919 with his final medical report saying he was no longer fit for service on accounts of wounds received in action. Crichton returned to his prewar career as a cable splicer and in 1919 he married Amy Watkins. James and Amy raised two daughters, Hazel and Velda. Neither of the girls married. Hazel and Velda realised the unique value of the medal (VC) and after his death preserved it for future generations by donating it to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
In 1937 at age 58 James was in London, a Sergeant in the NZ Coronation Contingent for the coronation of King George VI.
James died in 1961 at Takapuna aged 82 and is buried in Waikumete Memorial Park Soldiers Cemetery Auckland.
Awards and Medals
Victoria Cross
Queens South Africa Medal (1899-1902) 5 clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal.
South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902
1914-1915 Star
British War Medal (1914-1920)
Victory Medal (1914-1919)
Coronation Medal 1937
