| John Crichton was the youngest son of John and Martha Crichton. John Crichton married Martha Beattie about 1872, probably in Scotland where they both hailed from.
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| John Crichton was born on 1st June 1888 in Belfast. He was one seven children, five surviving.
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| His older sister Davina was born in Scotland about 1879 and Eliza was born in Belfast in November 1881, so the family moved to Ireland around 1880.
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| Known family: John Crichton, Martha Crichton, Davina Crichton (born about 1879), Eliza Lily Crichton (born 17th November 1881), Janet Nettie Crichton (born 22nd June 1884), John Jack Crichton (born 1st June 1888).
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| The 1901 census lists John as age 12, living with the family at house 37 in Crumlin Road, Clifton Ward, Belfast. John was still at school. His father was a cloth finisher.
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| Jack was a lieutenant in the Boys Brigade.
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| Jack and the family were members of St Enoch’s Presbyterian Church, Belfast.
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| Jack Crichton emigrated to the United States. Ellis Island records list a 22 year old John Crichton from Belfast who arrived in New York on 4th December 1910.
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| The 1911 census does not list Jack as living with the family at house 13 in Rosemount Gardens, Clifton, Belfast. Two of Jack’s sisters lived with his mother.
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| The 1911 census lists Jack's father as age 60, boarding at house 55 in Coalisland Town, County Tyrone. He is described as a Finishing Overseer to the Linen Trade.
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| Jack worked for the Ritter Lumber Company for a time.
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| Prior to enlisting, Jack was living in Collingwood. Collingwood is a town in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. It is situated on Nottawasaga Bay at the southern point of Georgian Bay. Jack was working as a salesman.
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| Jack enlisted in Collingwood, Ontario on 14th December 1915. He gave his next of kin as his father, who was living at Castle Ville, Donegal Place, Belfast.
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| Jack Crichton was promoted to sergeant on 9th March 1916.
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| Documents suggest some of his pay was going to a Miss J J Swan, whose address is given as Box 996, Collingwood, Ontario.
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| Sergeant Crichton arrived in England on board SS Cameronia on 28th October 1916.
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| On 18th May 1917, he reverted back to Private.
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| It seems Private Jack Crichton only arrived at the front line on 12th June 1917.
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| Private Jack Crichton was serving with the 4th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he died of wounds at a Canadian Field Ambulance in France on 5th July 1917.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th July 1917:
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| Corporal Jack Crichton, Canadian Infantry, who died on 5th July at a Canadian Field Ambulance in France of wounds received in action, was the youngest son of Mr John Crichton, formerly of Belfast, and now of Downview, Coalisland, the deceased was formerly a member of St Enoch’s Presbyterian Church, Belfast, and was a lieutenant in the Boys Brigade. He afterwards went to the United States, where he joined the Ritter Lumber Company, and on the outbreak of war he proceeded to Canada to join the colours.
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| In his will dated 29th September 1916, he left all to his father.
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| Private J Crichton is buried in La Targette British Cemetery, Neuville Street, Vaast, France.
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| On later military documents his father’s address is given as Downview, Coalisland, County Tyrone.
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| It seems likely Jack Crichton never lived in Coalisland, but his father seems to have resided there on several occasions.
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