Thomas Creighton of the 71 st Highland Light Infantry A tribute to Thomas Creighton who fought at Waterloo by the St Ninian s High School, Douglas, Isle of Man, KS3 History Club. Pupils visit Thomas Creighton s grave.
A tribute to ThomCreighto n Who was Thomas Creighton? Thomas Creighton fought in the Napoleonic Wars in Spain, France and Belgium. Most importantly he fought in Captain Samuel Reed s battalion of the 71 st Highland Light Infantry (HLI) against the French at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. Piper George Clark of the 71st Highlanders at the Battle of Vimeiro, although wounded he continued to play. Thomas Creighton was also present at Vimeiro.
What did a Quartermaster do? British Army was ready to fight. Thomas Creighton was a Quartermaster in the HLI. A Quartermaster was responsible for equipment, quartering and food. Napoleon said an army marches on it s stomach. Quartermaster s like Thomas made sure the British Army was ready to fight. Brown Bess Musket. Brown Bess Musket The standard infantry weapon across all the armies was the musket. It could be fired at three or four times a minute, throwing a heavy ball inaccurately for only a hundred metres or so. Each infantryman carried a bayonet which fitted the muzzle of his musket. Quartermasters made sure soldiers had enough equipment.
Where and when was Thomas Creighton born? Answer Thomas was born in St Andrew s, Fife in Scotland in either 1785 or 1786. Where and when did Thomas Creighton die? Answer Thomas died in Castletown, Isle of Man on 30 July 1853
Where did Thomas Creighton serve in Spain? On Thomas s grave it says he was present at: Rolica, Vimiero, Corunna, Sabral, Fuentes D Onoro, Arroyo dos Molinos, Almarez, Alba de Tormes, Vittoria and Pyrenees. And he served between Aug 1808 Jan 1809 and Sept 1810 Apr 1814. As a result he was at some major battles of The Peninsula War. 42 nd Highlanders at the Battle of Corunna
What is the MGS medal? Thomas was awarded the Military General Service Medal for Rolica, Vimiero, Corunna, Fuente d Onoro, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthes and Toulouse. The medal was a Campaign medal that was issued in 1847 to survivors of campaigns that took place between 1793-1814. As Thomas had to apply for the medal, it probably means that he was literate. A MGS. Thomas s medal would have had similar
What happened at Waterloo? Basically two Allied armies under Wellington and Blucher defeated the French and Napoleon at Waterloo, which is close to Brussels in Belgium. Europe had 99 years of relative peace after the battle, but nearly 50,000 men were killed and wounded. For more details see: http://www.nam.ac.uk/waterloo200/ Thomas Creighton s regiment, The 1st/71 st HLI lost 16 officers and 171 men killed and wounded at Waterloo.
St Ninian s trip to Waterloo. In October 2014, Year 12 & 13 pupils visited the Battlefield. In the rain at Hougomont and approaching the Lion Mound.
The Isle of Man during the Napoleonic Wars. As a small island the Isle of Man has a sailing tradition rather than army tradition. As a result 65 Manxmen were known to have fought at Trafalgar in 1805, while only one Manxman, Caesar Bacon is known to have fought at Waterloo, although we suspect there are more. A Napoleonic gun battery mounting at Peel Castle. History club members visit the house of Captain John Quilliam in Castletown. Captain Quilliam
Thomas Creighton of the 71 st Highland Light Infantry Who was Captain Samuel Reed? Samuel Reed was Thomas Creighton s commanding officer at Waterloo. Both Thomas and Samuel are buried on the Isle of Man did they arrive together? Ballure Chapel Ramsey. This tribute of affection and duty is raised to the memory of Lieut. Col. Samuel Reed, H.P. 71st Highland Light Infantry, who departed this life July 13, 1842, aged 57 years.
History Club trip to the Manx Museum. We were very lucky to see the uniform of Caesar Bacon the only Manxman known to have fought at Waterloo. Caesar fought in the 17 th Light Dragoons. Find out more about Caesar at: http://www.isleofman.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/worthies/p143
History Club trip to Thomas Creighton s grave and Castletown where he lived.
Napoleon on St Helena: Did you know he was guarded by a Manxman? Colonel Mark Wilks FRS (1759 1831) was a Manx soldier and administrator. In 1813 he was appointed governor for three years on St Helena. Following defeat at Waterloo Napoleon was imprisoned there. Napoleon is stated to have found Mark Wilks a highly engaging and affable man.
Contacting the Highland Light Infantry. We contacted the HLI Association in Glasgow and while they have not so far been able to give us specific information on Thomas, they were very helpful, with regard to information and book recommendations. Here is a link to the history of the regiment: http://www.highlandlightinfantry.org.uk /history-of-the-regiment Officers from the 71 st Highlanders Regiment. From the Crimean War
Our object choices: 1. I like the bagpipes best because they look different to modern Bagpipes. By Daniella 7JMM 2. Waterloo teeth. Because they are from dead people s mouths. By Ben 8GEM 2. Skeleton of Marengo, Napoleon s horse. Because it is unusual. By Harry 8GEM 3. Balancing monkey toy. Interesting as produced by prisoners. By Keiran 7JMM
Our object choices: 5. Skull on Corp John Shaw. Because it s gruesome. By Elena 7JMM 6. Military whip. Because it was used to scare and punish soldiers. By Lucie 8JGR 7. WWI Wellington Boots Because they more stylish than wellies today. By Joe 8GEM 8. Jingling Johnny. Because it looks Chinese. By Sophie 8GEM 9. Blood stained glove. Because it was used for surgical reasons. By Nick 7MEC 10. Highland Bonnet. Because Thomas Creighton may have worn one. By Alicia 8GEM.
Isle of Man Stamps.
Thomas Creighton of the 71 st Highland Light Infantry Bibliography http://www.britishbattles.com/ http://www.nam.ac.uk/waterloo200/ http://www.highlandlightinfantry.org.uk/ http://www.allworldwars.com/crimean-war-photographs-by-roger-fenton-1855.html http://www.tynwald.org.im/ Wellington s men remembered. By Janet Bromley & David Bromley (publisher Pen & Sword Military). Special thanks to Manx National Heritage and Isle of Man Stamps & Coins.