Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Lieutenant J. W. Crighton, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, late Royal Horse Artillery

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1769 A. Bomb. J. Crighton, R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (17597 Lieut., N.Z.E.F.); Silver War Badge (NZ24682) very fine (4) £160-200

James Wilkie Crighton was born in Finhaven, Forfar, Scotland. A Farm Assistant by occupation, he attested for the Royal Artillery in London on 6 November 1899, aged 21 years, 5 months. He served with the Royal Horse Artillery in the Boer War and was awarded the Queen’s medal with five clasps. After service in India he was discharged to the Army Reserve in November 1907 - his conduct and character were said to be ‘Exemplary. A most reliable man. Thoroughly steady soldier’. He then served in the Metropolitan Police, March-September 1908 and September 1909-November 1910 and was discharged from the Army Reserve in November 1911. Emigrating to New Zealand, he then served as a Sergeant-Instructor in the New Zealand Permanent Staff, May 1912-December 1913 and then with the New Zealand Police Department, April 1914-April 1916. Resigning from the Police he then received a commission in the army and served as a Lieutenant in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He died in Guildford, England on 8 June 1947, aged 69 years.

Sold with a folder of original documents, including: Army Certificate Showing Qualifications in Military Subjects for the rank of Corporal, to ‘1769 Bombr. J. Crighton, Z Battery R.H.A.’, dated 6 November 1900; Army Certificate of Education to ‘1769 Gunner J. Crighton, Royal Artillery’, dated 26 March 1901; Boer War ‘Peace’ postcard from the recipient in Transvaal to Miss Crighton of ‘Westwood, Normandy, Nr. Guildford, Surrey, dated 10 January 1904; Army Certificate Showing Qualifications in Military Subjects for the rank of Sergeant, to ‘1769 Corporal J. Crighton, “R” Batty. R.H.A.’, dated 24 October 1904; Army Certificate of Qualification as Regimental Transport Assistant, to ‘1769 Corpl. Crighton, “R” Battery, R.H.A.’, dated Mhow, 28 July 1905; Army Certificate of Qualification as Battery Range Taker, to 1769 Corporal Crighton, “R” Battery, R.H.A.’, dated Mhow, 15 August 1905; Parchment Certificate of Character on transfer to the Army Reserve, to ‘1769 Serjeant James Crighton, “A” Battery (The Chestnut Troop) R.H.A.’, dated St. John’s Wood, 5 November 1907; Parchment Certificate of Discharge from the Army Reserve, to ‘1769 Sergeant James Crighton, R.H. & R.F.A.’, dated Woolwich, 2 November 1911 - stating that he had ‘a good knowledge of the care of horses’; Metropolitan Police Certificate of Service, to James Wilkie Crighton, “V” or Wandsworth Division, dated 18 November 1910; New Zealand Military Forces Parchment Certificate of Discharge, to ‘Sergt-Instr. James Wilkie Crighton, New Zealand Permanent Staff, dated Aukland, 31 December 1913; New Zealand Police Department Certificate of Service, to ‘Constable James Wilkie Crighton’, dated 17 April 1916; and Certified Copy of his Death Certificate, to ‘James Wilkie Crighton, a retired Lieutenant New Zealand Army’, dated Guildford & Godalming, Surrey, 10 June 1947.

For his son’s medals, see lot 756.