Charles Vandeleur Creagh

Charles Vandeleur Creagh CMG was born on 4 October 1842. He was the second son of Captain John Creagh, RN of Cahirbane Co. Clare, Ireland. He died on 18 September 1917. His younger brother became General O'Moore Creagh VC GCB GCSI (1848 – 1923).

Career

Creagh was educated at the Royal Naval School, New Cross and Eastman’s Royal Naval Academy at Southsea . He was a barrister at the Middle Temple. He posted as the Assistant Resident of Perak, Governor of North Borneo (1888 - 1895) and Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Labuan (1891 - 1895).

Personal life

Charles Vandeleur Creagh married Blanche Frances Edwardes (1858 - 1948), daughter of Captain Frederick Augustus Edwardes (1829-1878) of Rhyd-y-gors in June 1882. Their elder son became Rear-Admiral James Vandeleur Creagh DSO (1883-1956). Their younger son went on to become Second Lieutenant O'Moore Charles Creagh (1896 - 1918) of the Royal Field Artillery, who was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive at Feuillaucourt, near Mont Saint-Quentin, on 23 March 1918, aged 21. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. His Major, writing to his parents, said: 'I can honestly say I know of no one whose loss I should feel more, and the battery as a whole feel the same, both officers and men. He was one of the best officers I have ever met.' O'Moore had been mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 21 May 1918, by Sir Douglas Haig, for gallant and distinguished service in the field. They also had a daughter Dorothy Creagh.

Contributions

He donated his collection of Bornean plants to Kew Gardens.

Honor

He was made a CMG in 1890. The Bauhinia Creaghi Baker, a Caesalpiniaceae family plant species was named after him. The Creagh Road in Taiping was named after him.