Pte John Crichton, 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders, Service N° S/16366

[George Millar]

Hello all,

I’ve just started to do some research on the above soldier.  John Crichton or to give him his full name John McLatchie Crichton was born on the 13th November 1880 in Queensberry Square, Sanquhar, Dumfries to parents Thomas Crichton and Isabella Gibson. He was one of eight children born to Thomas & Isabella having three brothers and four sisters.  After his birth he and the family seem to live in various properties in Queensberry Square. John’s father was a general labourer/drainer for most of his life. I can trace John up until the 1891 Scotland Census but for some reason he is not in the family home in the 1901 census. It has been suggested that he served in the Boer War but up to the present time I haven’t been able to confirm this. I have found a John Crichton who served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Service N° 8470 and whose place of birth was Sanquhar, Dumfries but as I said I haven’t been able to confirm if this is him. However I am able to trace him in the 1911 Scotland Census which shows that he had returned to live and work in Sanquhar.

Fortunately John’s service record for his service in WW1 exists and from the details in it he enlisted on the 23rd December 1914 into the Cameron Highlanders and given the Service N° S/16366.  His occupation was listed as a “Miner”. He initially joined the 8th (Reserve) battalion on this date at Inverness but was then posted to the 3rd (Reserve) battalion on the 8th February 1915. He was then drafted to the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment on the 16th April 1915 and embarked for France on that date. However, just over a month later on the 12th May 1915 he sustained a gunshot wound to his thigh and thumb and was posted to the Depot two days later on the 14th May 1915. Strangely, there is a note in his service record file which lists him as having been killed on the 10th May 1915 but is later amended to show that this was not the case. Unfortunately his parents had been contacted and told of his death. He was posted to the 3rd (Service) battalion on the 18th August 1915 but it seems that his injuries were such that he was discharged from the army shortly afterwards on the 4th December 1915 under Para 392 (xvi) no longer physically fit for war service.

John then returned to civilian life and went back to his old employment of a coal Miner although with his disability I suppose in a light capacity. Unfortunately, John's life was to be cut short as he died on the 8th November 1920 in the Western Infirmary in Glasgow. His usual residence is listed as N° 17 Queensberry Square, Sanquhar, Dumfries, his parent’s house. The cause of his death was listed as tuberculosis of Spine & Amyloid Degeneration. His brother William registered the death.

Now for the problem. John is listed in the CWGC site as John McLatchie Crichton with the Service N° S/16366 and his regiment as the 3rd Battalion Cameron Highlanders. His date of death is correct as is his age. He is listed as being buried in the Sanquhar Parish Churchyard Extension in Sanquhar, Dumfries. So far so good. His parents are also buried in this cemetery so it would seem highly likely that he would have been buried here. However, when one examines the Grave Registration and Headstone documents which are attached to John McLatchie they are for a different soldier. They list a Pte J. Crichton, 5th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers with a service N° 768 who died on the 9th November 1920. I have found this soldiers Medal Rolls Index card and his Service Medal Rolls but cannot seem to find a death for this soldier. I have checked Scotland’s People website and the only death relevant is that of John McLatchie Crichton. What I’m wondering is, who is buried in this grave and what details are on his headstone? Could anyone advise.

Private John Mclatchie Crichton - CWGC Certificate.pdf

[ss002d6252]

#768 John Crichton has a service record.

Born 1894 in Sanquhar.

Discharged 27 Feb 1916

Craig

[George Millar]

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the info. I've had a look at his service record and as you say he was discharged on the 27th February 1916 but there doesn't seem to be any mention of him dying in 1920.  However, on checking Scotland's People for deaths in Scotland, there are only two deaths for a John Crichton in 1920, one in George Square aged 77 and the other John McLatchie himself in Hillhead, Glasgow aged 39. So it doesn't seem that the John Crichton born 1894 should be on the CWGC site. Who would have supplied the information ref the death? Would it not have been the parents of John McLatchie and if so how can the CWGC got it wrong?

George

[Matlock1418]

49 minutes ago, George Millar said:

Who would have supplied the information ref the death? Would it not have been the parents of John McLatchie and if so how can the CWGC got it wrong?

Perhaps the Ministry of Pensions [MoP] advised CWGC ???

From pension cards at WFA/Fold3 it appears John CRICHTON, 16366, Cameron Highlanders, - 18 Queensferry Sq., Sanquhar made an unspecified disability claim [MoP Reference 1/MC/10707].

We can also see his mother made a later claim for a dependant's pension after his death - 18 Queensferry Sq., Sanquhar [MoP Reference 1/D/12007 - it was refused]

??? I can't explain how CWGC got J. CRICHTON, 768, KOSB's details which also include Mr. A. CRICHTON, 14 West Lochan, Sanquhar, Dumfries-shire ???  I note from 768's MIC that he was discharged KR Para 392 xvi [unfit - so possibly a SWB] and that his medals were returned in 1923 [presumably undeliverable to him or his relatives].  I could not find a disability or dependant's pension claim for 768 at WFA/Fold3 though there appears to be some record for John CRICHTON, 768, at Ancestry [I can't access].

M

Edited 19 June , 2022 by Matlock1418
tidy

[George Millar]

Hello Matlock,

Sorry for the delay in replying to your comments. I had another look at John Crichton's service record (Service N° 768) and for some reason lists his mother as Mrs John Crichton and his sister as Grace Crichton, 1159 Argyll Street, Glasgow. Where Mr A Crichton comes from is a mystery. He served in Gallipoli and invalided to England with "Gastritis" on the 13th October 1915 and was discharged just after on the 27th February 1916. On discharge his character was listed as being "Very Good". I would like to see a photo of the headstone to see what details are on it but I suspect it is listed with the details of John Crichton Service N° 768. I'm just wondering if I should contact the CWGC to find out their reaction?

George  

[Matlock1418]

3 hours ago, George Millar said:

I'm just wondering if I should contact the CWGC

Why not?  At least ask them what they think is there - if/what headstone?  You can always follow up on their answer.

M

[George Millar]

Hi Matlock,

I'll just do that and see what happens. Thanks once again for your help.

George

[George Millar]

Just send the details to the CWGC, I'll see what answers they can come up with.

George