Name/Title
Major Walter William Ross Creighton - 60th Bn CEF - As Secretary to Minister of Militia (Sir Sam Hughes) he is credited with saving the 87th Battalion CEF (Canadian Grenadier Guards) from disbanding in 1917Description
Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection
*** FOR ARCHIVE PURPOSES ONLY - ARTIFACT NOT PART OF MUSEUM COLLECTION ***
Medal Group belonging to Major William Walter Ross Creighton, 60th Bn CEF and Secretary to Minister of Militia (Sir Sam Hughes and Albert Edward Kemp)
(From Left to right):
WW1 British War medal - named to "Capt. W.W.R. Creighton" - 427,993 issued to Canadians
WW1 British Victory Medal - named as above - 351,289 medals issued to CEF.
1935 Canadian Issued silver KGV 25th Jubilee Medal - only 7,500 were awarded to Canadians
1937 Canadian Issued silver KGVI Coronation Medal - only 10,359 were awarded to Canadians.
1948 (1st issue) Commissionaires Long Service Medal - Rare
1923 Issued Polish Cross of Merit (1st Class Gold) - Rare
*** Highly Possible that Major Creighton was in attendance at the signing of the Paris Peace accord in 1919 as the Chief of staff to The Canadian Minister of Militia and Defense (Albert Edward Kemp) and was partially awarded the Polish Cross of Merit for this involvement.
Although not a member of CGG, Major Creighton is considered a very important figure within out regimental history because as Secretary to Sir Sam Hughes (Minister of Defence), he is credited with saving the 87th Battalion CEF (Canadian Grenadier Guards) from disbanding in 1917
Born on 11th May, 1885 in Branford Ontario, Walter William Ross Creighton completed his university education in Montreal and pre 1914 served with both the 43rd Regiment (Ottawa) and the 3rd regiment (Victoria Rifles of Canada.) At the outbreak of WW1, he attested as an Officer with the 23rd Battalion CEF (Partially raised by the Canadian Grenadier Guards) on 16th July, 1915.
Before the war he was employed by the Bank of Montreal. They printed a memorial booklet From the Bank of Montreal Memorial Book. W. W. R. Creighton Major, 60th Battalion, C.E.F. Enlisted in 1914 in the 3rd Victoria Rifles of Canada in which he was given his commission. He later qualified for his Captaincy, and in August, 1915, went overseas in command of an infantry draft. He went overseas as the Officer Commanding the 1st Reinforcing Draft and was transferred to the 23rd Reserve Battalion on arrival in England. In December 1915, he went to France to the 24th Battalion, and was later transferred to the 60th Battalion. He spent some time in France with the Canadian Base Depot before returning to England and rejoining the 60th. He would serve as the Commanding Officer of 'C' Company until he was wounded in June 1916, at Hooge (Sanctuary Woods).
According to his service record he had terrible eyesight and unable to see without his glasses. He is the only officer in the battalion officer photo wearing glasses.
After arriving in England, he was transferred to the 60th Battalion CEF on September 15th, 1915. He was badly wounded by shell shrapnel and gunshot wound (GSW) to his left knee and thigh during the fighting at Sanctuary Wood on 3rd June 1916. He was extracted to No3 London General Hospital and eventually after 2 months of recovery repatriated back to Canada. He remained in the Military and took on the role of Secretary to the Minister of Militia and Defence (Sir Sam Hughes) at Ottawa. He was mentioned in dispatches. The mentioned is dispatches was a Warrant Office Memo - brought to the attention of the secretary of State for war. Dated 20-Feb-1919.
During his tenure, he wrote a letter (as mentioned in the book "The silent Sixtieth" by historian Reginald A. Gervais) about Major Creighton writing a forceful letter to the Military Selection Committee Chair reminding them that disbanding the 87th Bn (Canadian Grenadier Guards) would be a huge mistake as the Regiment and in Particular Lt-Col. Frank Stephen Meighen had strong political connections that would be a factor.
Major Creighton went on to organize and served in a leading role with the Corps of Commissioners and in 1948 was awarded a rare 1st type Commissioners Long Service Medal denoting 12 years of service to the organization.
Major Walter William Ross Creighton returned to Banking post WW2 and lived in Ottawa until his passing on 8th July 1971 at the age of 91.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
January 15, 2022Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
May 31, 2025
