Corporal Robert Creighton

 

Robert Creighton was born on 14 November 1895 at Pubble, Tempo, County Fermanagh, the sixth of eight children of herd Thomas Creighton and his wife Rose Ann (Fanny) (née Fitzpatrick). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Pubble with his parents and four of his six surviving siblings, and working as a farm labourer.

Creighton enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron on 2 or 3 June 1915 (No. UD/262).

On 6 October 1915 the squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division, embarked for France. Creighton, however, remained at the reinforcements depot at Enniskillen. He was sent to France to join the squadron in 1916 or the first half of 1917.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Creighton, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Creighton was issued regimental number 41385.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918 and at Kemmel on the Ypres front that April.

Creighton was wounded during the Advance to Victory offensive between August and November 1918, probably on 4 September when  the 9th (NIH) Battalion took part in an attack south of Wulverghem on the Ypres front.

His name is included on the Tempo Church of Ireland Roll of Honour.

 

 

Image of the Tempo Honour Roll kindly provided by Nigel Henderson, Researcher at History Hub Ulster.

 

This page last updated 31 March 2024.