Three members of the 13th Battalion awarded the Victoria Cross in the Great War. The first, Private Frederick Fisher, awarded for his action on 23 April 1915 at St. Julien, during the Second Battle of Ypres. Two other members, Corporal Herman James Good and Private John Bernard Croak, awarded their crosses for action on 8 August 1918 at Hangard Wood, during the Battle of Amiens.
Newfoundland’s first Victoria Cross
Private John Bernard Croak (Croke) born in Little Bay, Newfoundland to James and Cecilia Croak on 18 May 1892. The family later moved to Glace Bay in 1900, where Croak attended school and later worked in the mines. In 1914, he went to Western Canada and on his way home volunteered for overseas service with the 55th Battalion.
55th Battalion
The 55th Canadian Infantry Battalion organized in May 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. R. Kirkpatrick. H.R.H. Duke of Connaught and staff and officers 55th Battalion in New Brunswick below.
The 55th Battalion mobilized at Sussex, New-Brunswick, and recruited in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Private John Bernard Croak T-o-S
Pte Croak Taken-on-Strength by the 55th Battalion on 6 August 1915. He embarked from Quebec on 30 October 1915 aboard SS CORSICAN and later disembarked in England on 8 November 1915. The battalion arrived with a strength of 42 officers, 1099 other ranks.
Drunk
Less than a week into camp, on 12 November 1915 at Bramshott, Croak awarded 168 hours detention for being drunk. A rather heavy sentence for a first time offender, perhaps designed to send a message to the unit by the Commanding Officer.
Whiskey
On 30 December 1915, also at Bramshott, awarded 6 days F.P. No. 2 for being in possession of whiskey.
Resisting Arrest
On 20 January 1916, awarded 6 Days F.P. No. 2, resisting arrest ($6) and fined $6 for drunkenness.
Breaking Camp
On 19 February 1916, awarded 21 Says F.P. No.2 for breaking camp under quarantine.
AWOL
On 13 March 1916, awarded 21 Days F.P. No.2 and fined $6 for drunkenness, leaving range without permit, AWOL 3 days, forfeiting $40 (a huge fine).
Overseas
Following Pte Croak’s 21 Days of F.P. No.2, he completes his Last Will and Testament and transferred to the 13th Battalion along with Corporal Herman James Good.
Corporal Herman James Good VC
Both men would later earn the VC on the same day (Battle of Amiens).
For most conspicuous bravery and leading when in attack his company was held up by heavy fire from three enemy machine-guns, which were seriously delaying the advance. Realising the gravity of the situation, this N.C.O. dashed forward alone, killing several of the garrison, and capturing the remainder. Later on, Corporal Good, while alone, encountered a battery of 5-inch guns, which were in action at the time. Collecting three men of his section, he charged the battery under point-blank fire and captured the entire crews of three guns.
Herman James Good VC — The London Gazette, 27 September 1918
BADASS
Corporal Good a BADASS, but never sanctioned like Croak. Repeatedly gassed, and wounded (GSW buttocks), prior to his VC action. Cpl Good later helped capture Mons, participated in the March to the Rhine and the Allied Occupation of Germany. He triumphantly returned with the Highlanders to Canada in 1919.
Johnny Croak
Now this Johnny Croak was a remarkable man. There was not a phoney bone in his body. He was a roly-poly guy, feared nothing, and didn’t give a sh*t for anybody. He always carried a revolver on his hip and I don’t think he would have been afraid to use it on anyone who crossed him. It was a saying in our company that if you went on a patrol or out on a working party with Johnny Croak you’d come back.
Quoted in Amiens: Dawn of Victory, page 118
– Charlie “Bubbles” Hughes
James McWilliams and R. James Steel
13th Battalion
The 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) organized in Valcartier Camp in September 1914 composed of recruits from Montreal, and initially commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel F. O. W. Loomis.
The 13th Battalion embarked Quebec 25 September 1914 aboard SS ALAUNIA, and later disembarked in England 16 October 1914 with a strength of 45 officers, 1110 other ranks. Disembarked in France 16 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division, 3rd Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 20th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
France
Private John Bernard Croak To Field, 13th Battalion, 15 April 1916. Months pass in and out of the front lines before Pte Croak finds himself in trouble once again.
Drunk
On 3 October 1916, Croak sentenced to 10 Days F.P. No.1 for When on Active Service, Drunkenness.
Improperly Dressed
On 2 March 1917, Croak sentenced to 10 Days F.P. No. 1 for When on Active Service Receiving and being in possession of liquor during prohibited ours. Improperly dressed and violently resisting arrest.
VDS/VDG
On 14 August 1917, Croak admitted to No. 51 General Hospital Etaples, (VDS/VDG), later discharged on 6 September 1917.
AWOL
On 18 October 1917, Croak sentenced to 14 Days F.P. No. 1 for When on Active Service AWOL from 5 pm 17/10/17 to 7:30 am 18/10/17. Forfeits 2 Days pay.
False Statement
On 12 January 1918, Croak sentenced to 5 Days F.P. No.1 for When on Active Service Conduct to the prejudice of good order a military discipline in that he wilfully made a false statement to a superior officer.
Absentee
On 23 January 1918, Croak sentenced to 2 Days F.P. No. 1 WOAS absenting himself without leave for 56 hours. Forfeits 3 days pay.
Drunk
On 6 June 1918, Croak sentenced to 28 Days F.P. No.1 for When on Active Service, Drunkenness.
Battle of Amiens
On 8 August 1918, Croak’s action posthumously earns him the VC.
“For most conspicuous bravery in attack when having become separated from his section he encountered a machine gun nest, which he bombed and silenced, taking the gun and crew prisoners. Shortly afterwards he was severely wounded, but refused to desist. Having rejoined his platoon, a very strong point, containing several machine guns, was encountered. Private Croak, however, seeing an opportunity, dashed forward alone and was almost immediately followed by the remainder of the platoon in a brilliant charge. He was the first to arrive at the trench line, into which he led his men, capturing three machine guns and bayonetting or capturing the entire garrison. The perseverance and valour of this gallant soldier, who was again severely wounded, and died of his wounds, were an inspiring example to all.”
London Gazette, No. 30922, dated 24 September 1918.
Claude Wood
Hangard Wood British Cemetery
Hangard a village in the Department of the Somme, in the valley of the Luce, between Domart and Demuin. The road to Villers-Bretonneux goes due North from the village, up a steep hillside. After a mile it passes between the two portions of Hangard Wood, and the cemetery found at this point, on the side of the road.
History
At the end of March 1918, Hangard at the junction of the French and Commonwealth forces defending Amiens. Between 4 and 25 April, the village and Hangard Wood the scene of incessant fighting, in which the line held and the 18th Division particularly heavily engaged.
In July 1918, the site of the cemetery in German hands, but cleared by the Canadian Corps early on 8 August 1918, and the Corps Burial Officer began this cemetery later in the month. A number of graves of April 1918, as well of those of August, brought in, and after the Armistice other graves of April 1918, concentrated from Villers-Bretonneux, and of October 1916, from other parts of the Somme battlefield.
The cemetery now contains 141 Commonwealth burials of the Great War, 38 of which unidentified. Also 14 French burials in the cemetery.
Glace Bay
Private John Bernard Croak well, and deservedly celebrated in Nova Scotia. A school named for him in Glace Bay – John Bernard Croak Victoria Cross Memorial School.
John Croak’s mother received his posthumous Victoria Cross from the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia at the province’s Government House in a ceremony on 23 November 1918. Held by the family for several years until purchased by the Canadian War Museum in 1976. Today on display in the Army Museum Halifax Citadel.
John’s mother Cecilia died 5 October 1928 in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, County, Nova Scotia, at the age of 64 years.
A branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (since closed) named after him.
John Bernard Croak Monument
The monument in honour of John Bernard Croak destroyed in a December 2010 car accident. Restoration completed by John D Steele’s & Sons Monument Works, the same company that built the original monument.
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