Thomas Crean facts for kids
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| Birth name | Thomas Joseph Crean | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 19 April 1873 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 25 March 1923 (aged 49) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Mayfair, London, England, UK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 14 st 7 lb (92 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Belvedere College Clongowes Wood College |
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| University | Royal College of Surgeons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Patrick Crean (son)
Frank Crean (brother) Fr Cyril Patrick Crean MBE (nephew) |
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| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Military career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
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Branch
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 British Army |
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Rank
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Major | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | Imperial Light Horse Royal Army Medical Corps |
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Conflicts
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| Awards | VC DSO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Thomas Joseph Crean (born April 19, 1873 – died March 25, 1923) was an amazing Irish hero! He was a talented rugby player, a brave soldier in the British Army, and a skilled doctor. He achieved great things in all these areas.
Thomas Crean played rugby for famous teams like Leinster, Ireland, and the British Isles. He was part of the first Irish team to win the Home Nations Championship and the Triple Crown in 1894. He helped Ireland win another championship in 1896.
Beyond the rugby field, Thomas Crean showed incredible courage. He earned the Victoria Cross, a very special award for bravery, during the Second Boer War. Later, in the First World War, he served as a doctor and received another important award, the Distinguished Service Order. He is one of only three Irish rugby players ever to receive the Victoria Cross!
Contents
Thomas Crean's Early Life
Family Background
Thomas Crean was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 19, 1873. He was one of many children in his family. His father, Michael Theobald Crean, was a lawyer. His mother was Emma. Thomas had several brothers and sisters.
One of his brothers, Frank, became an engineer and explored parts of Saskatchewan, Canada. A lake in Canada, Crean Lake, is named after Frank! Thomas's sister, Alice, married one of his rugby teammates, Alexander Todd.
Thomas was named after his uncle, Dr. Thomas Joseph Crean, who was also a successful doctor. Another relative, Dr. John Joseph Crean, was a military doctor. These family members likely inspired young Thomas to pursue a career in medicine and the army.
Education and Bravery
Thomas and his brothers went to schools like Belvedere College and Clongowes Wood College. At Clongowes, Thomas was a fantastic athlete. He was great at rugby, running, and swimming. He even showed his bravery as a swimmer!
In 1891, he helped rescue a young art student named William Ahern who was in trouble in the water near Blackrock, Dublin. For this heroic act, Thomas received a medal from the Royal Humane Society.
After school, Thomas began studying medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1891. He worked hard and became a qualified doctor in 1896. He earned his medical licenses from both the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians.
Thomas Crean's Rugby Career
Playing for Clubs and Province
Thomas Crean loved rugby! He started playing for the Wanderers club in 1891. He quickly became a key player for their top team. While working as a young doctor, he also captained St. Vincent's Hospital's rugby team for four years.
He played for the Leinster team against other Irish provinces like Ulster and Munster. Later, when he moved to South Africa, he continued to play rugby for the Johannesburg Wanderers.
Playing for Ireland
Between 1894 and 1896, Thomas played for the Irish national rugby team nine times. He scored two tries during these games. His first international game was a win against England in 1894.
That same year, he helped Ireland achieve something amazing: they won their first-ever Home Nations Championship and the Triple Crown! He scored both of his tries against Wales. His strong play helped Ireland win their second Home Nations title in 1896, which was his last game for Ireland.
Playing for the British Lions
In 1896, Thomas Crean was chosen to be part of the British Isles team (now known as the British and Irish Lions). They went on a special tour to South Africa. Thomas was one of nine Irish players on this important team.
He played in all four big matches against South Africa and even scored a try! He also stepped up to be captain for some games when the main captain was not playing.
Thomas Crean's Military Career
Bravery in the Second Boer War
After his rugby tour, Thomas Crean stayed in South Africa and worked as a doctor. When the Second Boer War began in 1899, he joined the Imperial Light Horse as a soldier. He was involved in important events like the Relief of Mafeking.
Thomas showed incredible bravery during the war. In December 1901, at the Battle of Tygerkloof, he was a Surgeon Captain. Even though he was under heavy enemy fire and was wounded himself, he kept helping injured soldiers. He only stopped when he was hit a second time! For this amazing courage, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor for bravery.
He recovered from his injuries and, in 1902, King Edward VII personally presented him with the Victoria Cross. Later that year, he became a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Service in the First World War
In 1905, Thomas Crean married Victoria Heredia from Málaga, Spain. They had two sons, Victor and Patrick, and a daughter, Carmen. Thomas later opened his own medical practice in Harley Street. He even saved a jockey's life at Ascot Racecourse by performing an emergency operation right on the spot!
When the First World War began in 1914, Thomas joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. He served bravely with the 1st Cavalry Brigade. He was wounded several times during the war. In 1915, he received another important award, the Distinguished Service Order. He was promoted to Major in 1916 and led the 44th Field Ambulance on the Western Front.
Later Years and Legacy
After the war, Thomas Crean returned to his medical practice. However, his war service had affected his health. He faced some challenges later in life.
Thomas Crean passed away due to diabetes on March 25, 1923, at the age of 49, in Mayfair, London. He is buried in St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green. His son, Patrick, later became a successful actor and fight master.
Thomas Crean's Victoria Cross medal is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum. In 2001, the South African Post Office even issued a stamp featuring him to remember his bravery in the Second Boer War. His incredible story of courage and skill continues to inspire many.
Sources
- www.angelfire.com
- www.irishrugby.ie
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- Ireland's VCs (Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
