One of the nicest aspects of working in Heritage Collections is the people that we meet along the way. Be it in person in our reading room in Mercers building, reading about them in an 18th century letter or coming across them in a snapshot of time in a sepia coloured photograph. We are always meeting people!
Last month we were fortunate enough to meet the Moorhead family- Cari, Susan and Peter, who had got in touch with us earlier on this year with the view of donating a very unique and interesting piece of surgical equipment. The piece was a set of surgical tools encased in a solid wooden box with the engraving:
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| Thomas J Crean Surgeon Imperial Light Horse 1899 |
The name on the engraving is quite a familiar one here in RCSI. Born in Dublin in 1873 Thomas Crean studied in Clongowes College and completed his medical studies in RCSI gaining his Licentiateship in 1896 and his Fellowship in 1902. He then went on to have a successful and active career in the British Army as a soldier and doctor. During the Second Boer War, while serving with the Imperial Light Horse, he was awarded the Victoria Cross the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. He served in WWI and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his service.
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| Major Dr. Thomas Joseph Crean (19 April 1873 – 25 March 1923) |
As well as having a very succesful career in the British Army, Crean, in his younger years, had excelled himself in sports. He became an International Rugby player representing Ireland and the British Lyons in several games.
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| Ireland Football Team 1894 Thomas Crean, Back row, second left |
Whilst the connection to Crean and RCSI was made we also found out there was in fact a personal connection between him and the Moorhead family. He was their great grand uncle and Cari and her siblings got to know about his adventures through their own mother Patricia Moorhead. An avid family historian, Patricia was fascinated with her grand uncles story and dedicated a lot of her years researching, investigating and unearthing Thomas Crean’s story. In 2006 she was honoured to attend a service in Westminster Abbey to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross and Major Thomas Crean achievements.
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| Patricia Moorhead |
One day, while researching Major Crean, Patricia came across the following ad online:
'Original Set of Items. One of a kind. This is an amazing set of Surgeons "TOOLS." I hate to think what some of these probes were used for. There are about 25 pieces in this wooden cased set that measures 18" X 10 1/2" X 3 1/2", and weighs a substantial 15 lbs when full. Contained in two steel trays for easy access are a variety of tools, including various forceps, clamps, a saw, and other tools. Owners name on the brass cover plate on the lid Thomas J Crean'
Much to her disappointment the item was sold. However, her daughter Cari knew how much it would mean to her mother. She managed to track it down all the way down under in Australia and organised to return it back to Ireland to her mum. To say their mother was thrilled was an understatement. Patricia treasured the set of instruments so much so that she told her children the set should be donated to RCSI as that’s where she truly believed it belonged. Sadly, Patricia passed away earlier this year but her wish was granted and the set was officially donated to RCSI.
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Coming full circle, Major Thomas Crean was duly acknowledged and remembered when Cari, Peter and Susan visited RCSI 120 years after his graduation to bring his set of surgical instruments back to where his medical education started. The instruments will be on display in the Atrium from early next year for all to admire including the new and future generations of healthcare professionals.
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| Cari, Peter and Susan Moorhead |
We thank the Moorhead family for the kind donation especially Patricia who knew the importance and significance of history, family and keeping the spirit of past generations alive.