Thomas Creighton was born in South Farnborough, England, in 1878, the son of Michael Creighton and Mary (nee Degan) Creighton, of South Farnborough, England. Thomas would marry Clara (nee Harcourt, of Suffolk, England) Creighton. Thomas and Clara were married on December 16, 1911 in Sarnia. At the time, Thomas was employed as a painter. Thomas and Clara Creighton would have one son together, Thomas Junior, born in 1913. When Thomas enlisted, the family was living at 268 London Road, Sarnia. He became a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, 34th Battalion, with the rank of Sergeant. Thomas would serve in Canada. On February 27, 1915, Thomas Creighton would lose his life. He died at Guelph General Hospital, the circumstances of casualty officially listed as, Pneumonia – Admitted to hospital 20-2-15. Given every care and attention. Had special nurse night and day. The following is the Guelph and Sarnia newspaper descriptions of Thomas’ funeral notice:

 TO BE LAID AT REST WITH MILITARY HONOURS

Funeral of Sergt. Creighton of 34th Battalion, To Be Held Tomorrow.

Guelph, February 28, 1915 – The remains of the late Sergeant Thomas Creighton, of the 34th Battalion, who died in the general hospital here, were conveyed to the Grand Trunk station at 11 o’clock this morning with full military honors for burial at Sarnia. It was one of the most impressive sights seen in this city for some time. The casket was placed on a gun carriage and the cortege was led by the Salvation Army band, playing the dead march from Saul. The 34th bugle band played “Last Post” and “Lights Out” at the station as the train moved out.

Thomas Creighton’s remains arrived in Sarnia the next day, accompanied by an officer and six privates from the 34th Battalion, who acted as pallbearers. The funeral took place on March 2, 1915 at Our Lady of Mercy Church. It was conducted with military honors and a firing party of twelve men from the wireless and Tunnel guards that had been detailed for duty for the occasion.

Thirty-seven year old Thomas Creighton is buried in Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Cemetery, Sarnia. On Thomas Creighton’s headstone are inscribed the words, Loving wife and son. Years after Thomas’ death, Clara would remarry, to Arthur Groves, to become Clara Groves, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England.

SOURCES: C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G