 thumb|175px|croak's gravestone john bernard croakthe newfoundland spelling of the name is "croke," and that is also how it appears on pvt. croak's birth certificate. however, pvt. croak enlisted with this spelling, which remains on many of his official documents. vc (may 18, 1892 â august 8, 1918) was a soldier in the canadian army during the first world war and recipient of the victoria cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to british and commonwealth forces.. ==details== croak was born in little bay, newfoundland, on may 18, 1892 to james and cecelia croak.croak, john bernard, commonwealth war graves commission the family moved to glace bay, nova scotia when croak was two years old. he attended school there and then began work as a coal miner. croak enlisted in the canadian military in august 1915. he was a private in the 13th (royal highlanders of canada) battalion, canadian expeditionary force. on august 8, 1918 at amiens, france, croak performed a deed which earned him the victoria cross. he was wounded in the act, and died shortly thereafter at the age of only 26. ===citation=== {{quote|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 gal
1892_births 1918_deaths Canadian_Expeditionary_Force_soldiers Canadian_military_personnel_killed_in_World_War_I