Major Dr Thomas Joseph Crean, was an Irish rugby union player, British Army soldier and doctor.
28 Facts About Thomas Crean
2.
Thomas Crean is one of three Ireland rugby union internationals to have been awarded the Victoria Cross.
3.
Thomas Crean was born in Morrison's Hotel, which stood on the corner of Dawson Street and Nassau Street in Dublin.
4.
Thomas Crean was the fifth child of Michael Theobald Crean, a barrister originally from Fethard in County Tipperary who worked for the Irish Land Commission, and his wife Emma.
5.
John was Head of the Army Medical Department in Dublin while Thomas Crean was in school at Clongowes.
6.
Thomas Crean ultimately followed in the footsteps of these two men, becoming both a successful practitioner and an esteemed officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps.
7.
Thomas Crean was a very fine swimmer, and it was as a swimmer that he first demonstrated his bravery.
8.
Thomas Crean noticed Ahern was in trouble and together with a young solicitor named Leachman from Dundrum, he managed to bring him ashore.
9.
In October 1891 Thomas Crean commenced his medical studies at the Royal College of Surgeons and, after graduating as a doctor in 1896, he became a Licentiate of both the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians.
10.
Thomas Crean went on to represent Leinster against both Ulster and Munster in 1894,1895 and 1896.
11.
Between 1894 and 1896, Thomas Crean made 9 appearances and scored two tries for Ireland.
12.
Thomas Crean played in all three games during both the 1895 and 1896 Home Nations Championships.
13.
Thomas Crean showed his strength and drive when he scored Ireland's only points by catching a long line-out throw before driving across the line with a number of Welshmen hanging out of him.
14.
In 1896 Thomas Crean was a member of the British Isles squad on their tour to South Africa.
15.
Thomas Crean was part of strong Irish contingent, being one of nine Irishmen selected.
16.
Thomas Crean played in all four tests against South Africa and scored a try in the second.
17.
The tour captain, Johnny Hammond, only played in seven of the 21 games and Thomas Crean took over the captains role in his absence, including for two of the Test games.
18.
Thomas Crean was wounded in the stomach and arm during these encounters and was in February 1902 invalided back to England, where he made a full recovery.
19.
Thomas Crean was appointed a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps on 3 September 1902, and was posted at Aldershot Garrison.
20.
Thomas Crean transferred to the army reserve on 8 September 1906, and started a private practice in Harley Street.
21.
Thomas Crean was later appointed medical officer in charge of the hospital in the Royal Enclosure, Ascot where he once performed a life saving trepanning operation on a jockey who was thrown from his horse during a race.
22.
Thomas Crean ran out onto the course in his shirt sleeves and saved the jockey's life by removing portions of the bones of his skull with a hammer and chisel.
23.
Thomas Crean served with the 1st Cavalry Brigade, being wounded several times and was twice mentioned in despatches.
24.
Thomas Crean was promoted to Major on 26 February 1916, and commanded the 44th Field Ambulance, British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front.
25.
Thomas Crean returned to his practice in Harley Street but by now his war service had begun to seriously affect his health and he was unable to maintain the business.
26.
Towards the end of his life Thomas Crean suffered from financial difficulties and in June 1922 he was declared bankrupt.
27.
Thomas Crean died from diabetes on 25 March 1923, aged 49, at his residence 13 Queen Street, Mayfair, London.
28.
Thomas Crean is buried in St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green,.