More about William Crichton

William is believed to be the brother of Fireman James Crichton, C6120, S.S. Northern Collier, Mercantile Marine.

William Crichton was the son of Mrs Agnes Crichton of 3 Charles Street, Dundee and the husband of Ruby Stewart of 69 Nethergate, Dundee. Before he volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve for service in the Royal Naval Division he was employed as a Grocer. In October 1915 he began his initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London before he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training. He was drafted to the Hawke Battalion, arriving in France in September 1916. Before he could join the Hawke at the front he became ill and was admitted to the isolation ward of the 2nd General Hospital in the Etaples Camp. Initially diagnosed with mumps, he was returned to Blandford for further treatment. His condition did not improve and he was moved to the Naval Hospital at Portland, Dorset. William Crichton was discharged from the Royal Navy in December 1916 on medical grounds and died from a compromised lymphatic system in March 1917.