Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

DAVID ROSS CRICHTON

Known as Dave to the district, his death certificate, which was issued in 1904, gives his date of birth as 31 March 1872, it being registered at Carcoar. However, he was actually born on the 29 March 1872, at Junction Reefs, (part of Blayney Shire) as David Rosewood Caines, the son of a 21 year old single mother; his father's name not being documented. Also living at Junction Reefs in this period was engineer, David Rose Crichton. Mary and David Crichton had married in 1871 at Carcoar, but did not ever have surviving children of their own. Shortly after his birth, David Caines was adopted by the Crichton’s who renamed him David Ross Crichton. The couple did not ever have any of their own children, but also later adopted another locally born child - a girl, whom they called Isabelle Rose. (Isabelle had been born in Blayney c. 1880-1881, parents unknown.) At the time of David Caines' birth his future father was manager of the Junction Goldmining Company, situated at Junction Reefs, on the Belubula River, west of Carcoar. Despite growing up as David Ross Crichton, it appears the relationship between the two David's may not have been easy. A letter written by former Shaw school teacher, Thomas Swan, to the Curator of Intestate Estates, dated 9.12.1902, states that the young David Crichton was " an illegitimate child, son of D.R. Crichton engineer of Pambula, formerly of Carcoar & Blayney - Having known Crichton Junr for a number of years, I can safely state that he never recognised a relative not even his father, who took him as an infant and paid for his maintenance." David was 14 years old when the teacher, Thomas Swan and wife arrived at Shaw. A handwritten statement by David Crichton in 1885, relating to the conduct of a previous teacher at the Shaw Public School, is kept in the school files at the N.S.W. State Archives. David wrote that he was "13 years of age; and a pupil in the Third Class of the Shaw Pub. School." He added - "I attend school regularly." He may well have still been a student when Thomas Swan started work at Shaw the following year. As his occupation was registered as labourer when he applied to join the military contingent for South Africa, Dave would have completed his education shortly after the Swans arrived at Shaw and obtained work in the area. He later put T. A. Swan as his next of kin, when he enlisted.
It would appear that David developed close ties to the Swan family during their twelve years at Shaw, and may even have boarded with them. The entry for next of kin states: T. A. Swan, Skillion Flat, North Carcoar, N. S. Wales; Registered 15 February 1904. This information is a little curious, and indicates clerical error, as Thomas Alfred Swan had already left the Shaw school (1895) when David Crichton enlisted with the military for service in South Africa ; and Skillion Flat is in the Kempsey area of NSW, where the Swans were then residing. David Ross Crichton, at the age of 28 years old, joined the 4th Troop A Company, 2nd Regiment NSW Mounted Rifles early in 1901. The Carcoar Chronicle of 1 March 1901, advised its readers that " Mr. Dave R. Creighton (sic) of Shaw, has been successful in passing the test for the South African contingent." He had by then already embarked for overseas the previous month. Almost a year later, the readers of the Carcoar Chronicle, on 24 January 1902, were told that Dave was "dangerously ill" with enteric fever. The reporter made the following comment ... " Poor old Dave! Rough and ready, and liked by everyone. It would be a pity for him to die in that Way." The disease eventually claimed his life at Standerton in the Transvaal, south-east of Johannesburg, just a week or so before Hector Black’s death. The Sydney Morning Herald of 7 February 1902, under the heading “Australian Casualties” gave this report – “London, Feb. 6, Private David Ross Crichton, of the 2nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles, died of enteric fever at Standerton.” He was just a few weeks short of reaching his thirtieth birthday, having died on the 2nd February 1902. The news of his death did not reach the Blayney district till a week or so later. The Carcoar Chronicle (14.2.1902) published the next week, featured the following report: “Since writing my last memo I notice that poor old Dave has gone under in South Africa of enteric fever. Poor Dave! It seems hard to think he went all the way to South Africa, to die of a beastly common fever, which he could have contracted just as easily in some of the smellful country towns of NSW. Many will miss him here, for no man ever had a truer friend than Dave, and no one ever heard of him doing a mean or underhand action; but if anyone wanted a good turn done it was always to Dave they turned.” The people of Neville and Shaw raised funds to erect a substantial memorial to him which was placed in the grounds of St. Peter’s Church of England at Shaw, because " we want to do something in memory of poor old "Dave," as he left no relations to do it for him ( Carcoar Chronicle, 4.7.1902.)" The memorial is an impressive testimony to the relatively short life of David Crichton, and bear's witness to the high regard in which he was held. A copy of a letter addressed to Mrs. Thomas Swan at Skillion Flat, written by Capt. C. W. Lee of the "A" Squadron, 11 N. S. Wales M.R., and eventually received by her, highlighted his reputation. The letter is held by NSW State Records. Dear Madam, It is with much regret that I have to inform you of the death from Enteric Fever at Standerton Hospital on the 2nd, February last of No. 664 Private D. R. Crichton of this Regiment.
Crichton gave your name in lieu of his next-of-kin, so I am not aware of the address of any of his relatives, that is if he has any, but if so I would be obliged if you would communicate to them this sad intelligence. He was one of my best men, a cheery fellow and plucky in the field, and I had him marked for early promotion. He was also popular with his comrades and is much missed in his troop. As the regiment will shortly be mobilising at Cape Town for return to Australia, I shall have his pay account squared off and will communicate with you regarding the disposal of his balance. Believe me to be, Madam,
Yours truly, (Sgd.) C.A.Lee. "A" Squadron, 11 N. S. Wales M.R.
The Swans were never to receive any of Dave's wages or estate at all, despite efforts by Thomas Swan to recover them on behalf of his wife, Dave's given next of kin. A letter from the Public Trustee to Thomas stated that as David Ross Crichton was " a bachelor, intestate and illegitimate his estate consequently escheats to the Crown." The Crown duly received the sum of ₤28.10.00, as Mrs. Swan was not David's legal next of kin.