Ernest Creighton was the youngest son of James and Sarah Creighton of Doons, Orritor, Cookstown. He was born on 21st May 1891 and after leaving school joined the Royal Irish Constabulary as a policeman. In 1913 Ernest emigrated to Canada and continued his work with the police there. He enlisted in the Army at Toronto on 30th August 1915. He was described as being five feet eleven and a quarter inches tall, with blue eyes, light brown hair and a ruddy complexion. Again his worth attracted the attention of his superiors and he was selected for a Commission, being sent to England to qualify himself for that position. He was not married. Ernest was killed in action on 8th August 1918
Further Information
Ernest Creighton was the youngest son of James and Sarah Creighton. Ernest was born on 21st May 1891 in Doons, Cookstown.
The 1901 census lists Ernest as age 9 living with the family at house 7 in Doons, Orritor, County Tyrone. His father, James Creighton, was a farmer.
Family: James Creighton, Sarah Creighton, William Creighton (born about 1880), Elizabeth Creighton (born about 1882), Albert Creighton (born about 1884), Sarah Creighton (born about 1886), Maggie Creighton (born about 1889), Ernest Creighton (born about 1892)
By the time of the 1911 census Ernest no longer lived with the family. They still lived in the Doons in Orritor. Both his sisters were now National School Teachers.
After leaving school, Ernest joined the Royal Irish Constabulary as a policeman.
In 1913 Ernest emigrated to Canada and continued his work with the police there.
Ernest Creighton enlisted in the Army at Toronto on 30th August 1915. He was described as being five feet eleven and a quarter inches tall, with blue eyes, light brown hair and a ruddy complexion.
His uprightness of character and his ability soon made themselves felt and in a very short time he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and qualified as an instructor of infantry.
For over a year he served in the trenches of France and took part in several major actions. Again his worth attracted the attention of his superiors and he was selected for a Commission, being sent to England to qualify himself for that position.
Lieutenant Ernest Creighton was serving with the 13th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he was killed in action in France on 8th August 1918. He was 27 years old.
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Lieutenant Creighton was killed in action in Hangard Wood by an enemy shell which fell behind him, about fifty yards from the front line.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 15th August 1918:
Lieutenant Ernest Creighton, Canadian Infantry, killed in action on 8th August 1918, was the youngest son of Mr James Creighton, of Doons, Cookstown. He had served in the Tanks prior to his promotion to his promotion to a commission in January 1918.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th August 1918:
CREIGHTON - Killed in action in France on 8th August, Lieutenant Ernest Creighton, 13th Battalion, Royal Highland Canadians, youngest son of James Creighton, Doons, Cookstown. ‘Faithful unto death.’
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th August 1918:
Lieutenant Ernest Creighton, Royal Highlanders of Canada, killed in action on 8th August, was the youngest son of Mr James Creighton, Doons, Cookstown. He enlisted as a private, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant last January
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th September 1918: Lieutenant Ernest Creighton
It was with feelings of very sincere regret that his many friends in the Cookstown district heard of the death in action of Lieutenant Ernest Creighton. The deceased officer was the youngest son of Mr James Creighton, Doons, and was 27 years of age. In the year 1913 he emigrated to Canada and soon came to occupy a good position in Toronto. A prosperous and useful career seemed in store for him in the land of his adoption, but the call of King and country came, and it did not fall on deaf ears. On 1st September 1915 he enlisted as a private in the 92nd Highlanders. His uprightness of character and his ability soon made themselves felt, and in a very short time he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and qualified as an instructor of infantry. For one year he served in the trenches in France and took part in several severe engagements. Again his worth attracted the attention of his superiors, and he was selected for a commission, being sent to England to qualify himself for that position. He was gazetted in January last, and sent to France again in April to join his regiment. On 8th August he fell gallantly leading his men to victory. In a letter of sympathy to his father, the commanding officer of the deceased’s regiment says:-
‘Lieutenant Creighton was a very fine officer, of splendid character, and popular alike with his brother officers and men, and his death is deeply felt by us all. It may perhaps be some little consolation to know that he died without pain, and leading his men gallantly in what has been in some ways our most successful operation of the whole war. I wish you would make known to his relatives the high estimation that I had id Lieutenant Creighton, and express to them my deep sympathy in their bereavement.’
Lieutenant Creighton is interred in plot 1, row A, grave 2 at Hangard Wood Cemetery, France.
The CWGC record Lieutenant Ernest Creighton as the son of James A and Sarah A Creighton, of Doons, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, Ireland.
