Awards & Winners

Thomas Crean

Date of Birth 19-April-1873
Place of Birth Dublin
(Republic of Ireland, Ireland)
Nationality United Kingdom
Profession Surgeon, Soldier
Major Dr. Thomas Joseph Crean, VC DSO was an Irish rugby union player, British Army soldier and doctor. During the Second Boer War, while serving with the Imperial Light Horse, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. In 1902, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. During the First World War he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Crean played rugby for Leinster, Ireland and the British Isles. In 1894, he was a member of the first Ireland team to win both a Home Nations Championship and a Triple Crown. Then in 1896 he helped Ireland win their second Home Nations title. He is one of three Ireland rugby union internationals to have been awarded the Victoria Cross. The other two are Robert Johnston, who also served with the Imperial Light Horse in the Second Boer War, and Frederick Harvey who served in the First World War. Crean, Johnston and Harvey all played club rugby for Wanderers. In 1896 Crean and Johnston were also members of the same British Isles squad that toured South Africa.

Awards by Thomas Crean

Check all the awards nominated and won by Thomas Crean.

1901


Victoria Cross
(In recognition of most conspicuous bravery that took place on 18th December, 1901 as Surgeon Captain of the Imperial Light Horse during the Second Boer War.)