Pte 5955 Charles Cregeen

• Age: 27
• From: Rushen IOM
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 28th September 1916
• Commemorated at: Kirk Christ Rushen (h.t.cy), Iom
  Panel Ref: K.36

Charles Creegan was born 29th June, 1889 in Rushen, Isle of Man and he was baptised on the 28^th July 1889 in Rushen, the son of Thomas Cregeen and his wife Mary (nee Taylor). 

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 97 Beach Road, Port Erin, Rushen, Isle of Man.

The father, Thomas, is aged 35, born 1856 and is a mariner, his wife Mary is also aged 35. They have three children, George aged 7 at school, Frank aged 4, and Charles aged 1 and the family were all born in Rushen, Isle of Man).

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 1 Shore Road, Port Erin, Rushen, Isle of Man.

The father, Thomas, is aged 45 and is a mariner and his wife Mary is aged 45. They have four children, George aged 17, born 1884 a drapers assistant, Frank aged 14 born 1887 a telegram messenger, Charles aged 11, and Ann aged 9, born 1892 are both at school. They also have three lodgers living with them Arthur Watterson aged 40, born 1861 a mariner, Emmeline Cregeen aged 22, born 1879 and married and her son Walter aged 1, born 1900.

Prior to the war he had lived in Southport. 

He enlisted on the 10^th November, 1915 in Liverpool joining the 10th Battalion (Liverpool Scottish) of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 5955. He gave his address as 115 Cemetery Road, Southport, his age as 26 years and 120 days and his occupation as shop assistant. He was six feet and a quarter inch tall, weighed 176lbs and had a good physical development.

His service papers show:

11.7.16-14.7.16: Appointed Lance Corporal.

15.07.16: Reverted to Private and embarked for France from Folkestone

02.08.16: Proceeded to 11^th Entrenching Battalion.

05.08.16: To 17^th King’s Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment.

He was wounded on 16th August 1916 whilst serving in the 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment. He suffered gunshot wounds to his chest, right shoulder and arm and was evacuated to to England on 23rd August. He was treated at the Glen Hospital in Essex and succumbed to his wounds on the 28th September 1916 aged 23.

Charles now rests at Kirk Christ Rushen (Holy Trinity Church Yard) Isle of Man. The Inscription on the family headstone reads:

Lance Corporal Charles Cregeen (Liverpool Scottish) Dearly loved son of Thomas and Mary Cregeen, Port Erin who died at Southend–on-Sea, from wounds received in France 28^th September 1916 aged 27 years,

“WE HAVE LOST YOU, WE WHO LOVED YOU, WE LIKE OTHERS MUST BE BRAVE, FOR WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE LYING IN A BRITISH SOLDIER’S GRAVE” 

There are 9 First World War burials in the Cemetery. 

His death was reported in the Southport Visiter on 14^th October 1916:

Lance Corporal Cregeen, formerly captain of the Birkdale Shop Assistants Football and Cricket Clubs, died of wounds. He was wounded in the act of throwing a bomb, being shot by a sniper, the bullet penetrating his chest and breaking his right arm. He was removed to the Glen Hospital, Essex, where he died on Thursday September 28th 1916. The body was removed to Peel I.O.M. where the family resided. The deceased soldier, who had for four years lived in Birkdale, resided with Mr James Robinson, Cemetery Road. Previous to enlisting he was employed by Messrs John Kellett of Birkdale.

A further report on his death reads:

LANCE-CORPL. C. CREGEEN 
(Died of Wounds)

Lance-Corpl Charles Creegen, King's (Liverpool Regiment), formerly captain of the Birkdale Shop Assistants Football and Cricket Clubs, has, we regret to announce, died of wounds . Lance-Corporal Cregeen was wounded some ten days ago, being shot whilst in the act of throwing a bomb by a sniper, the bullet penetrating his chest and breaking his right arm. He was removed to the Glen Hospital, Essex, where he died on Thursday last. The body was removed to Peel I.O.M. where the family resides, and the funeral took place on Tuesday. Mr James Robinson, of Cemetery Road, with whom the deceased soldier lived during his four years he was in Birkdale, attended the funeral as the representative of the Shop Assistants Football and Cricket Clubs. Lance-Corporal Cregeen was well known and very popular in the district, and was the means of starting the club that won the Calvert Shield and Medals in the Mid-Week League competition. The news of his death came as a severe blow to his many friends in Birkdale, as it was thought he was making good progressin hospital, from which he wrote cheery letters.  Previous to enlisting he was employed by Messrs John Kellett of Birkdale.
A wreath was sent from the Birkdale Birkdale Shop Assistants Football and Cricket Clubs; and Miss Cregeen received an appreciative and deeply sympathetic letter in reference to her brother from Mr. J. R. Dutton, secretary of the S.A. Cricket and Football Clubs. 

Isle of Man Examiner, Saturday, September 30, 1916.

CREGEEN Died of wounds, at Southend-on-Sea, on Sept. 28th, Corporal Charles Cregeen (Charlie); whose remains will arrive by Monday's steamer for interment on Tuesday, at 2 o'clock in Rushen Churchyard. Athol House, Athol Park, Port-Erin.

Isle of Man Examiner, Saturday, September 29, 1917.

CREGEEN.—In loving memory of Lance-Corporal Charles Cregeen (Liverpool Scottish), youngest son of Thomas and Mary Cregeen, Athol House, Port Erin, who died from wounds received in France. September 28th, 1916.

It's farewell, dear son, not good-bye.

CREGEEN.—In loving remembrance of our dear brother. Lance-Corporal Charles Cregeen (Charlie), Liverpool Scottish, who died at Southend-on-Sea from wounds received in France, on September 28th, 1916.

Nobly you did your duty,

Bravely you fought and fell;

But the sorrow of those that mourn you

Only aching hearts can tell.

It may be a soldier's honour

For his country's cause to fall,

But we cannot think of the glory,

For the pain it has caused us all. —Frank and Nellie, Garston.

Isle of Man Examiner, Saturday, June 30, 1917.

IN MEMORIAM.

CREGEEN—In loving (28th) birthday remembrance of our dear brother, Lance-Corporal Charles Cregeen (Liverpool Scottish), who died at Southend-on-Sea, September 28th, 1916, from wounds received in France.

When last we saw his smiling face

He seemed so strong and brave;

We little thought how soon he'd be

Laid in a soldier's grave. —Frank and Nellie, Garston.  

His father received his personal effects which included letters, 1 testament, 1 chess board in case, Epistle of St Paul, 1 French book and six photographs.

Charles is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Southport Civic Memorial

Isle of Man Great War Roll of Honour (1914-1918.)

Manx National Memorial.

We currently have no further information on Charles Cregeen, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.