Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

MR. A. F. CRICHTON
Mr. Archibald Frederick Crichton, whose death occurred in St. Martin's Hospital, Brisbane, on January 17, alter an illness of three months, was a well-known Warwick businessman and was formerly manager of the Warwick branch of the Queensland National Bank for 16 years. He was 70 years old, the eldest son of a British Army officer, Captain A. E. Crichton and Mrs Crichton, who, before coming to Australia, had been stationed in India. He was born  and educated in Brisbane. For a short time after leaving school he worked with a firm of merchants, but later joined the staff of the Queensland  National Bank. After serving with the bank in Brisbane Mr Crichton was transferred to Cunnamulla, where he  was stationed on the outbreak of the Boer War. He enlisted and served overseas with the Third Division, 2nd Queensland South African Contingent, gaining the rank of Lieutenant.

He returned to Australia with the Contingent and on rejoining the bank's staff was transferred to Normanton. However, at this time a second  Commonwealth Contingent whs raised, for South Africa, and Mr Crichton re-enlisted for a further term of overseas service. Battle engagements in which he participated, included Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Driefontein and Cape Colony. His father and a brother, Aubrey, also served In South Africa. 

Returning to Australia (Mr Crichton became accountant at the Allora branch of the Queensland National Bank and was then transferred to Rosewood as manager. On the outbreak of World War 1 he enlisted in the A.I.F., but because of his Boer War experience he was retained for some time in Australia  on the Instructional staff. Later, however, he was posted abroad on sea transport duties, with the rank of Captain.

On demobilisation Mr. Crichton returned to Allora as branch manager. He was afterwards, manager at Clifton before being transferred as manager to  Warwick, where he replaced Mr. A. J. A. Moody on the latter's retirement. He remained at Warwick until he reached the retiring age eight years ago. He  then commenced business as a commission agent, in which he was engaged until his last illness.

The late Mr. Crichton was treasurer of the Warwick Turf Club for a number of years and occupied the president's chair for a term, He was a keen golfer  for many years, and more recently was a member of the Warwick Bowling Club. During his stays in Allora and Clifton he was actively associated with  the show societies in each town. His chief hobby, however, was his vegetable garden, in which he took the greatest pride and consistently produced  some outstanding specimens. He always maintained the greatest interest in military affairs. For over 20 years he was a member of Queensland  Mounted Infantry, from which he retired with the rank of Major and with the Volunteer Decoration.

In 1905 he married Miss Mabel Feldt, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Feldt, of Norlands, near Ingham. Besides his widow he leaves a daughter, Enid  (Commonwealth Public Service, Canberra), and two sons, Colin and Douglas (principals of the firm of Crichton and Co., Warwick). One son, Basil,  predeceased him 14 years ago. There are also four brothers, Aubrey (Brisbane), Cecil (Sydney), Norman (Brisbane) and Gordon (Gladstone) and three  sisters, Mrs E. Henderson (Kilkivan), Mrs. H. Edwards (Gladstone), and Mrs. G. Williams (Yeronga).

The large cortege at the funeral to the Warwick Cemetery was testimony to the high regard in which the late Mr Crichton was held in Warwick and  district. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. W. Hoog.