Mar 11, 1897

Born at Hastings County, Ontario to Charles and Emma Creighton (nee Bowers)

Jun 1, 1911

On the 1911 Census, he was living in Peterborough Ontario and his occupation is listed as Picker at a Mattress Factory earning $200 per year.  Note that he is only 14 years of age

Feb 22, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion at Bancroft Ontario 

Ø      Number 636688

Ø      Next of kin given as Charles Creighton (father) of Musclow Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Jun 24, 1916

Admitted to the Barriefield Military Hospital with a diagnosis which reads Mumps

Jul 5, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 18, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland at Halifax Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Bramshott Camp

Dec 5, 1916

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Dec 8, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field and assigned to “C” Company Lewis Gun Section 

The Battalion was in Divisional Reserve at Bully Grenay.  While in billets here they carried out training exercises and supplied men for work parties

Aug 12, 1917

Proceeded on course, however the file does not name the course or it’s location

Sep 1, 1917

Rejoined the Battalion from course

Dec 4, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 21, 1917

Rejoined the Battalion from leave

Feb 22, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 4, 1918

Admitted to No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a shrapnel wound to his right hand.  He was transferred the same day to No 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Mar 5, 1918

Transferred via No 35 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to No 4 General Hospital at Camiers

Mar 10, 1918

Transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot at Etaples

Mar 12, 1918

Discharged from the Convalescent Depot and proceeded to the Base Camp at Etaples

Mar 13, 1918

Arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) and TOS “A” Company which was comprised of soldiers recovering from wounds

Mar 18, 1918

Announcement of the award of the Military Medal in the Battalion’s War Diary on this date

Mar 23, 1918

Arrived at CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Apr 8, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the field

Apr 25, 1918

Announcement of the Military Medal in London Gazette #30652

This was awarded for his acts of bravery during the raid that took place March 4^th 1918 when he was wounded

The Citation reads

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  In connection with a hostile raid on a large scale when the enemy succeeded in entering our trenches under cover of an intense artillery barrage and the use of liquid fire.  Quickly accepting responsibility when his seniors had become casualties during the concentrated bombardment, this man rushed his Lewis Gun to a dominating position in "No Man's Land".  The accurate direction of his fire was solely responsible for the breakdown of the enemy raid.  His initiative accounted for the destruction of the hostile party.

AFW 3121  7-3-18

May 25, 1918

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/C Mackinnon who had been invalided to England

Aug 8, 1918

Received wound to left hand thumb and admitted to No 1 CFA.  He was transferred the same day to No 5 CCS.   

Later that day he was transported by No 26 Ambulance Train and admitted to No 11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen

Aug 12, 1918

Transferred via No 5 Ambulance Train and admitted to No 74 General Hospital at Trouville

Aug 25, 1918

Transferred to No 13 Convalescent Depot at Trouville

Sep 12, 1918

Discharged from the Convalescent Depot and TOS the CIBD and posted to “A” Company again

Sep 24, 1918

A note was added to the file that in case of him becoming a casualty, to also notify his mother at Box 598 Lindsay Ontario

Sep 25, 1918

Left the CIBD and arrived at the CC Rein C

Sep 27, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the field

Oct 10, 1918

Received a shrapnel wound to his left foot and admitted to No 9 CFA and immediately transferred to the Casualty Clearing Station

Oct 12, 1918

Transferred to No 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux

Oct 18, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Denis

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

Oct 19, 1918

Admitted to 1^st Western General Hospital (Brownlow Hill) at Liverpool

Nov 8, 1918

Transferred to the Wellington Road Military Hospital at Liverpool

Dec 14, 1918

Transferred to Granville Canadian Special Hospital at Buxton

Jan 27, 1919

Discharged from hospital and placed On Command to 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for physical therapy

Feb 15, 1919

Discharged from 3^rd Convalescent Depot and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Mar 5, 1919

His father’s address was changed to read Bancroft Ontario

Mar 22, 1919

Transferred to MD Wing No 3 at Kimmel Park pending return to Canada

Mar 29, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia at Liverpool

Apr 5, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston Ontario

Apr 8, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 246050

Ø      Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Kingston Ontario 

After his discharge, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal were sent to him at Asquith Saskatchewan 

Russ Creighton became very involved with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 181 in Bancroft Ontario, rising to the post of Branch President in the early 60s.

Nov 30, 1975

Died at Bancroft Ontario