Frank Creedon of Adrivale, shot dead in 1921

Born in 1880 Francis Creedon was the son of Michael and Abby Creedon, farmers from Adrivale. In 1902 he joined the police force, the Royal Irish Constabulary, a peaceful time when a job as a policeman was seen as being well paid with a pension. He served in Armagh, Kerry,  Coachford and Blarney. He married Hannah O’Reilly of Blarney in 1916, after which he was moved to Clashmore, and Tallow in Waterford.

On the morning of Saturday July 2nd 1921, a blistering hot day, he and nine other policemen were sent on patrol from Tallow Police Barracks, which they did every day. This was at the height of the War of Independence and tensions were high. Unfortunately for the patrol, the I.R.A. had been observing their movements, and it was noticed that their usual procedure was to take different roads on alternate days on departure from the town. With rifles and machine guns, the I.R.A. took up positions in the Old Military Barracks, and on an adjoining hill on the expectation that they would move out by a certain road. However, the patrol went by an adjoining road which did not exactly meet the positions the I.R.A. had taken up.

In haste, those positioned on the hill fired early, leaving those positioned in the Old Barrack a couple of hundred yards away from their target, instead of 30 yards away as intended. Not ideal from an attacking viewpoint, which was further complicated by couple of loads of hay on the street during the attack.

When the firing ceased after about ten minutes, the ambush parties withdrew to Boultha, Ballynoe, and later to Castlelyons area. Constable Francis Creedon lay dead, two more policemen wounded, while the remaining policemen had rushed into some adjoining houses and escaped the fire. Francis had been killed in the first volley of firing and died immediately, shot in the head and above the heart.

He was buried in the middle of the night two days later July 4th at Drishane Cemetery, leaving behind a young wife and two small children. Nine days later (July 11th) the ceasefire was called and the War of Independence was over. 

====

Newspaper Reports

All the newspapers essentially carry the same message – the official state communication.

Co. Waterford Ambush: Castle communiquos state:- “At 10:45 a.m. on Sat., 10 R.I.C., from Tallow, were ambushed near that place by a party of civilians concealed behind walls. Heavy Rifle and Machine-gun fire was opened on the patrol, and Const. F. Creedon was killed. The police took cover and engaged their attackers, who made off. There were no other casualties to the police. Rebel casualties unknown.” [Irish Examiner 4th July 1921]

“A party of ten R.I.C. was ambushed on Saturday near Tallow, Co. Waterford. Heavy rifle and machine gun fire was opened on the police “by civilians concealed behind a wall”, says the official report, and Constable Creedon was killed. The police took cover and engaged their attackers, who made their escape”. [The Scotsman – Monday 04 July 1921] [Weekly Freeman’s Journal – Saturday 09 July 1921] [Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Monday 04 July 1921]

====

Death Notice

CREEDON – At Tallow, on July 2nd, Francis, son of the late Michael Creedon, Adrivale, Millstreet, Co. Cork. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife and children, brothers, sisters, and large circle of friends. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul. R.I.P Interment took place on Monday, July 4th at Drishane, Millstreet. [Irish Examiner Saturday, July 9th 1921]

====

Where is he Buried?

The death notice in the paper states that he was interred in Drishane graveyard.  He buried in his mother’s family headstone (Kelleher) in the old section: “Erected by NORA CREEDON to the memory of her brother FRANCIS CREEDON Who died 2nd July 1921”. His father was from Ballyvourney and married into the Kelleher farm and there were was no Creedon grave here before that. [Find a Grave] [Historic Graves] The exact wording on the headstone reads:

IHS
The Burial place of The KELLEHER Family
Interred here MICHAEL, DANIEL & WILLIAM KELLEHER.
Erected by NORA CREEDON to the memory of her brother FRANCIS CREEDON Who died 2nd July 1921, and her mother ABINA CREEDON Who died 15th July 1896
The above NORA CREEDON Died 18th July 1931 beannact De le na n’anamnaibh 

note: The headstone above says Abina died on July 15th 1896, but the death register for Abina says 26th July 1896

Due to the sensitivities of the time (it was the height of the war of Independence, and the family were a republican one) Frank was brought from Tallow by his brother(s) and buried in the dead of night.  [from M McC]

====

Compensation for his Murder

After he was murdered, his wife Hannah received special compensation until at least the end of 1922.

“Schedule of cases where special allowance in respect of compensation under the Criminal Injuries Act is still being paid to widows & children of murdered Police” (23rd August 1922)

Name & Rank: Const Fras Creedon
Date of death: 2/7/1921
County which compensation claimed: Waterford                                              Annual rate of allowance: £116:6:8
To: Hannah Creedon, 14 Shamrock Terrace, Blarney (Oct 1922). (his wife Hannah who also had two+ small children to look after.)

She should have received a pension to maintain her and his two children after that, but no detail as such.

====

Notes on Frank Creedon and his young family

He was born and raised on the farm at Adrivale, Millstreet until he was 22 years old, until he joined the RIC in 1902, and was stationed in Armagh, Kerry, Cork and Waterford. He married Hannah O’Reilly in Blarney in 1916 and their home was at 14 Shamrock Terrace, Blarney. They had two children Abina and Michael. Hannah remained in Blarney until at least 1918 while Francis worked in Waterford. After his death in 1921, Hannah remarried to Patrick Maher, a Garda, in Blarney. His daughter Abina married another Garda Mick Staunton in 1938, again in Blarney.

Birth of Francis Creedon at Adrivale on January 13th 1880, to Abigail Creedon (Kelleher) and Michael Creedon a farmer [birth registration]

Baptism of FRANCISCUS (FRANCIS) CREEDON of ADRAVAL on 14 January 1880 by Canon Arthur S Griffin, sponsored by Michael Kelliher and Catherine Creedon.

Birth of Hannah Reilly at Mangerton Terrace, Blarney Village on January 28th 1894 to Margaret Reilly (Mahony), and John Reilly, a foreman Carder, Mary Mahoney present at birth. (Frank’s wife)

1901 Census: He is listed with his family in Adrivale (details below)

1901 census: Hannah’s family live at Monacappa (Blarney)

He joined the R.I.C. in 1902 and was sent initially to Armagh:
“Royal Irish Constabulary Intelligence:— The following members of the force having completed their coarse of instructions at the Depot, are allocated to counties from the 17th inst;— … Thomas P. Lyle, Samuel Morrow, Francis Creedon, Daniel Driscoil, and Laurence Hargaden, to County Armagh; … “ [Wednesday 16 July 1902]

Transfer to Cork E.R.:  “Francis Creedon, Kerry to Cork, E.R. [July 1909]

1911 Census: Residents of a house 30.2 in Coachford Town (Magourney, Cork). He is also listed in the Coachford Hut (Ballincollig District, Cork E.R.)

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
McEvoy	John J	31	Male	Queen’s County Constable RIC	Roman Catholic Single
Creedon	Francis	31	Male	Co. Cork Constable RIC	Roman Catholic Single
McGovern	Francis	21	Male	Co. Leitrim Constable RIC	Roman Catholic Single

1911 Cencus: Hannah’s live at Shamrock Terrace, and most of the family work in the Tweed Mill (Blarney Woolen Mills?)

He was accused of assault of three men when working as a police officer at Coachford in November 1912 (deatils below)

Marriage of Francis Creedon and Hannah O’Reilly at Blarney Church on March 4th 1916, by Fr. Michael Higgins PP. He a constable in Blarney, son of Michael Creedon (dead) a farmer. She a spinster of Blarney, daughter of John O’Reilly, Carder Tweed mill. In the presence of Francis Dwyer and Norah O’Reilly

Transferred to Waterford a month after he married: “Francis Creedon – Cork East to Waterford” [22/April/1916]

Birth of Abina Patricia Creedon at Shamrock Terrace Blarney on February 26th 1917, to Hannah Creedon (O’Reilly) and Francis Creedon, Constable RIC of Clashmore Police Barrack, Margaret Frances Grace present at birth Blarney Dispensary [Shamrock Terrace:Street view was about 400m away from the RIC Station]

Birth of Michael John Creedon on 10 May 1919 at Shamrock Terrace Blarney, to Hannah Creedon (O’Reilly) and Francis Creedon, Tallow Co. Waterford Constable RIC.

Death of Francis Creedon at Barrack Street Tallow on July 2nd 1921, male married 48yrs, Constable R.I.C., Shock and haemorrhage from wounds caused by gunshots fired by some person or persons unknown who are guilty of wilful murder, certificate received from Military Court of Inquiry, 29th July 1921.  Buried on July 4th in Drishane Cemetery.

Marriage of Hannah Creedon (Francis’ wife) and Patrick Maher at St Peter and Paul’s Church on July 28th 1923, by Fr M.A. Kiely. He a Civic Guard from Blarney, son of Patrick Maher a farmer. She a widow of Blarney, son of John O’Reilly a Cardir(?). In the presence of David Flynn and Kathleen Healy.

Marriage of Abina Patricia Creedon (Francis’ Daughter) and Michael Thomas Staunton at Blarney Church on September 22nd 1938, by Fr. William O’Neill CC. She a mill worker from Blarney, daughter of Francis Creedon (deceased) R.I.C. He a Civic Guard from Blarney, son of John Thomas Staunton (deceased) a farmer. In the presence of Florence O’Mahony and ??? Cremin.
In later years, Bina was a regular visitor with her husband Mick Staunton to her cousin  (also Bina) in Banteer.

Death of Hannah Maher of St. Anne’s Row 7, Blarney, in the Mercy Hospital, Cork, on May 21st 1946; widow; 52yrs; housewife; carcinoma of Thyroid. (Francis’ wife)

Michael John died in August 1995 (aged 76) at Birmingham, West Midlands, England. (Francis’s son)

TODO:  Remembering the RIC & DMP on twitter mentions that he “left a wife Hannah, who was pregnant, and two young children”. Access to the birth records won’t be until 2022, so we can’t confirm it as of now, and it wasn’t mentioned by the family.

====

I.R.A. Witness Statements on the Ambush

Witness Statement of William Buckley, Ballyhampshire, Castlelyons, Co.Cork. (of the Fermoy Flying Column): On July 2nd the column moved in on Tallow to ambush an R.I.C. and Tan patrol which usually patrolled the town in the forenoon. About 3 a.m. four members of the column (Dan Daly, Pad Egan, Jim Donovan and Wm. Buckley (witness) moved into position in the old barracks with the intention of cutting off the retreat of the patrol when fire would be opened on them by the remainder of the column who were in position on a hill overlooking the Main St. This party were armed with rifles as were the party on the hill which also included the machinegun crew (Dick Willis and Jackie Bolster).
The patrol of ten came out at 10 a.m. and moved towards our position. They had not reached us when the party on the hill opened fire. The party of Tans broke up and took cover with the result that our party were unable to get into our prearranged position so that we could enfilade the street.
In addition, the fact that two loads of hay were being taken along the street at the tine helped to upset the plans completely. One Tan was killed in this engagement. We suffered no casualty. The exchange of fire lasted about
10 minutes. The ambush parties then withdrew to Boultha, Ballynoe, and later to Castlelyons area.

Witness Statement of Con Leddy, Gortnaskehy, Araglin, Co. Cork (of the Fermoy Flying Column):  During the month of June it was decided to ambush a mixed R.I.C. and Tan patrol in Tallow – the strength of the patrols was normally about eight to ten. From observation of their movements movements it was noticed that their usual procedure was to take different roads on alternate days on departure from the town. We took up position on the expectation that they would move out by a certain road; however, they went by an adjoining road which did not exactly meet the positions we had taken up. This meant that we were one hundred yards away from them instead of 25 or 30 yards: however, we opened fire on them killing one and wounding two, the remaining five rushed into some adjoining houses and got away.

====

Court of Inquiry (in lieu of Inquest)

Subject- Court of Inquiry (in lieu of Inquest), – death of Constable Francis Creeden, Royal Constabulary.
General Headquarters, Parkgate, Dublin.
Here-within original Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry (in lieu of Inquest), assembled at the Military Hospital, Fermoy, on the 29th July 1921, for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances under which Constable Francis Creedon, Royal Irish Constabulary, met his death on 2nd July 1921.
The reasons why the Court of Inquiry in lieu of Inquest did not view the body in this case are as follows:- Constable Creedon, R.I.C., was killed at TALLOW, on July 2nd and his body was brought into FERMOY the next day. It was not possible to assemble a Court of Inquiry immediately, as all the witnesses were not present, and as the body was being taken to MILLSTREET, Co. Cork for burial, it was not advisable to retain it at Fermoy till the witnesses could be procured and the Court assembled.
The subsequent delay in assembling the Court was largely due to the almost complete isolation of Fermoy by road and rail, which occurred shortly afterwards.
Fermoy 1.8.1921 DJC
Colonel, Commanding, 16th Infantry Brigade.

Constable Cornelius Sugrue (60054): At 10:30 hrs on the morning of July 2nd 1921, I was in charge of a party of nine policemen on patrol, on the south side of Barrrack Street, Tallow. Fire was opened upon us with rifles, machine-guns, and bombs. We scattered to cover. I then noticed the body of Const. Creedon lying on the road. After the firing ceased, I went up to the body and found Const. Creedon was dead. We brought him back to Tallow barracks. I saw no one firing at us. I saw blood all over the dead man’s head. Constable Creedon was married, he had two children – he lived at Condon(?) Street Tallow, he was about forty three years old and is a Catholic.

Should Condon Street read Convent Street (where the RIC Barrack was located)?

Constable Robert James Jesse #075662: I was on patrol on the morning of 2nd July 1921 at Tallow, when fire was opened upon us. The first volley appeared to be fired from a distance of about 400 down the road from us. The deceased Constable Creedon fell at the first volley. I could see no one who was firing. When we took him back to the barracks, I saw he had a bullet through the mouth and one above the heart. He had also three woulds on his back. When we found him he was lying on his face. During the firing I saw several rifles of service pattern, firing after the retreating police from the windows of the Old Military Barracks.

Dr. Joseph O’Mahony: At 1700 hrs on July 2nd 1921 at Tallow police barrack, I made a superficial examination of Constable Creedon RIC, who fell mortally wounded earlier in the day. There was a punctured wound in the upper part of the left chest in front, below junction of left clavicle and sternum. There were then wounds in the back. One punctured wound in middle of back just to left of spine, a punctured wound over the left hip of spine, a punctured wound over the left hip behind and a large lacerated wound over right hip behind. I consider death was due to shock & haemorrhage following gunshot wounds. Death must have been almost instantaneous.

Captain OWJ Wynne RAMC: I was only M.O. for the day on Sunday July 3rd 1921 at the Mil Hospital Fermoy. I was asked to examine the dead body of Constable Creedon by the Staff Capt 16th Inf and to give an order for his burial, as a court of Inquiry could not be held before burial.
I did so. Constable Creedon died as the result of a gunshot wound in the right lion, causing fatal shock and haemorrhaging. I did not examine the body further, and gave the order for burial.

District Inspector HS Robinson RIC: I brought the body of the late Constable Creedon into Fermoy Mill Hospital on Sunday 3rd July 1921, where it was examined by Capt Wynne RAMC who ordered it to be immediately buried on account of the extreme heat.

Findings of the Inquest
The court having heard the evidence find:
i. that the body of the deceased was that of male Francis Creedon aged about 43 and married, living in Tallow, where he was a constable of the RIC.
ii. The deceased died at Tallow at about 10:30 hrs on 2nd July 1921
iii. That death was due to shock and haemorrhage, caused by gun shot wounds, from bullets which were fired at him in the course of his duty, by some person or persons known felonionsly or with malice of free thought.
iv. that the person or persons unknown are guilty of wilful murder.
The court are further of the opinion that under the circumstances, of the extreme heat of the weather at the time, it was not advisable to keep the body till the next day for the purposes of holding a Court of Inquiry in lieu of Inquest
F. Cogan President 1.8.21

====

Where did it happen?

Tallow, County Waterford is about 76km east of Millstreet

Pictured above, the Old Military Barracks in Tallow where some of the IRA were positioned, had been converted into a mill, and is now Bride Valley Stores. The above photo is looking down Barrack Street from where the R.I.C. patrol was coming. [Niall O’Brien: The Old Military Barrack] [BoI] [Street View of the old Barrack ]

Map of Tallow c.1900, showing the Old Military Barrack as a Corn Store at the bottom.

====

References to his Death:

“July 1921 Constable Creedon shot dead in Millstreet by the IRA – Irish Times P5 Col 7 (6 July 1921)” – [Final list of Cork War of Independence and Civil War deaths (updated 20 July 2015) April 1916-December 1923 (Barry Keane)]

“Constable Francis Creedon (41) from Macroom, Co Cork was killed by a Thompson sub-machine gun  attack on a party of ten constables near Tallow.”  (Abbott (2000), pg 262) [Diarmuid Lynch]

Creedon, Francis.– 60464.– Constable.– 2nd July, 1921.– Co. Waterford. [Irish Constabulary]

Creedon, Francis; constable; RIC 60464; LDS 2090/147B; Millstreet Co. Cork, 1880; killed Tallow, Co. Waterford 2/7/1921  [The Royal Irish Constabulary – Jim Herlihy 2016]

Const Francis Creedon,  Died 2 July 1921, aged 41, Killed when his patrol was fired on by the IRA using a machine gun [Police Roll of Honour]

====

Francis Creedon’s Family

Marriage of MICHAEL CREEDON of BALLYVOURNEY and ABIGAIL KELLEHER of ADRIVAIL on 28 February 1865, by Fr. John Doherty in Millstreet Church. The son of Jeremiah Creedon and Catherine Coughlan, and daughter of Patrick Kelleher and Mary Sheehan. Witnessed by John Kearney and Denis Kelleher. [Church registration] [civil registration]

Baptism of CATHERINE CREEDON of ADRE on 10 December 1865
Birth of JULIA CREEDON on August 2nd 1867 at Adrivale (Mother “Abby”)
Baptism of MARY CREADON of ADRIVAIL on 6 March 1869 (died 1870)
Baptism of MICHAL (MICHAEL) CREEDON of ADRIVAIL on 26 September 1871
Baptism of PATRICIUS (PATRICK) CREEDON of ADRIVALE on 8 October 1873
Birth of HONORA CREEDON on December 2nd 1875 at Adrivale. [Baptism]
Baptism of FRANCISCUS (FRANCIS) CREEDON of ADRAVAL on 14 January 1880

Marriage of William Dwyer and Catherine Creedon on February 11th 1888 in Millstreet Church by Fr. J.J. Martin CC, he a fireman of Rathduane, son of John Dwyer a gateman, she a farmer’s daughter from Adrivale, daughter of Michael Creedon a farmer, in the presence of John Cusack and Mary Anne Rahilly. (Francis’ oldest sibling)
+ Joseph (1889, baptism), John, Francis, Nora, Nellis [1901 Nelson’s Terrace Cork] [1911] [died 1934 Cork]

Death of Abigail Creedon of Adrivale on July 26th 1897, 58 yrs, married, wife of Michael Creedon a farmer, valvular disease of the heart 2 years, General dropsy(?) 2 months. (Francis’ mother)

1901 census: Residents of a house 4 in Adrivale (Coomlogane, Cork)

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Creedon	Michael	66	Male	Head of Family Farmer Widower	Roman Catholic
Creedon	Michael	24	Male	Son Farmer’s Son	Roman Catholic
Creedon	Francis	21	Male	Son Farmer’s Son	Roman Catholic
Creedon	Julia	26	Female	Daughter Farmer’s Daughter	Roman Catholic
Creedon	Nora	22	Female	Daughter Farmer’s Daughter	Roman Catholic
Kelleher	Mary	70	Female	Sister in Law	Roman Catholic

Marriage of Timothy Herlihy and Julia Creedon on February 9th 1904 in Millstreet Church by Fr. Charles O’Sullivan. He a farmer of Clarabeg son of Daniel Herlihy a farmer, she a spinster of Adrivale, daughter of Michael Creedon a farmer. In the presence of Daniel J Herlihy and Mary Anne Dennehy. (Francis’ sister Julia) [Herlihys in the 1911 census] They had Daniel, Nora, Abina, Patrick, and Michael) [Julia died in 1917 at Clarabeg] [ancestry]

1911 census: Residents of a house 7 in Adrivale (Coomlogane, Cork)

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Creedon	Michael	39	Male	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
Creedon	Kate	29	Female	Wife	Roman Catholic
Creedon	Nora	31	Female	Sister	Roman Catholic
Kelleher	Mary	80	Female	Aunt	Roman Catholic
Dwyer	Maria	20	Female	Niece	Roman Catholic

Death of Michael Creedon at Adrivale on June 5th 1909, widower, 72 years, farmer, Cardiac Dilation 6 months, Michael Creedon son present at death (Francis’ father)

Marriage of Michael Creedon of Adrivale and Kate Dennehy of Cloghoulamore on Feb 11th 1911 in Millstreet Church, in the presence of Joseph Dwyer and Nora Dennehy.
Birth of Michael Creedon of Adrivale on May 31st 1912, to Kate Creedon (Dennehy) and Michael Creedon a farmer
Birth of Abina Creedon of Adrivale on August 16th 1913, to Kate Creedon (Dennehy) and Michael Creedon a farmer
Birth of Daniel Creedon of Adrivale on February 27th 1916, to Catherine Creedon (Dennehy) and Michael Creedon a farmer
Death of Kate Creedon of Adrivale on April 13th 1918, 36 years, wife of Michael Creedon a farmer present at death, carcinoma 2 years
Death of Michael Creedon of Adrivale on September 14th 1957, widower 86 yrs, farmer decubital ulcers 14 days. Daniel Creedon son of deceased present at the death

Marriage of Abina Creedon and Denis McCarthy on April 27th at Millstreet Church, by Fr D Griffin CC. He a farmer of Fort Grady, the son of Denis McCarthy a farmer, she of Adrivale daughter of Michael Creedon a farmer, in the presence of Daniel Creedon and Helen McCarthy.
Abina died in 2011, aged 98, mother of 8 children.

Daniel married Elizabeth. He died on 29 Mar 1998 [find a grave]

The Plot of  Francis Creedon’s brother Michael and family in Drishane [Historic Graves] reads:
Erected By MICHAEL CREEDON, Adrivale
In memory of his beloved wife CATHERINE Who died 13th April 1918, aged 34 years,
The above MICHAEL Died 14th Sept, 1957 aged 86 years
Their son, DANIEL, Cloghoula Died 29 Mar 1998 aged 82 years
His wife, ELIZABETH Died 8th March 1999 aged 83 yearsR. I. P. 

See attached notes for his current contactable family (grandnephews).

====

The Fermoy Flying Column

During October, 1920, there were a number of men on the run in the Fermoy Battalion aria, and it was decided to form a Flying Column. The members of this Column were: Michael Mansfield, Dan Cronin, David Kent, James Donovan, William Buckley (witness) (Castlelyons); Patrick Egan, John Egan, Martin Condon, Maurice Regan and Mick O’Connell (Bartlemy); Jim Brennock, Patrick Daly, Patrick Canavan, Tim Ring, Dan Daly (Rathcormac); Con Leddy, Seán O’Mahony, Mick Hynes, Thomas Brennock, Batt Joyce, Maurice Hyland, Sean Hynes (Araglin). All this Column were armed with rifles, mostly captured. from the enemy at Fermoy (Wesleyan raid) and Araglin R.I.C. Barracks. The a ms also included a few rifles purchased from members of the enemy forces in Fermoy. [William Buckley]

====

Where was he stationed as a constable?

There is no definitive list, but these are the stations he is mentioned in:

Co. Armagh 1902-1902 (Sent there on passing out – see newspaper cuttings, service record)
Castlegregory 1903-1905 (Petty Sessions)
Coolmagort (Beaufort) 1907-1908 (Petty Sessions)
Killarney 1908 (Petty Sessions)
Annascaul 1908-1909 (Petty Sessions)
Coachford 1911-1913 (Newspaper cuttings, petty session resolution)
Blarney 1913-1916 (Petty session resolution, Marriage)
Clashmore 1916-1917 (Petty Sessions, daughter)
Tallow 1917-1921 (Petty Sessions)

====

Service Record

Service Record for Francis Creedon
#: 60464
Name: Creedon Frans
Age when appointed: 21yrs 9/12
Height:5’10”
Native County: Cork W.R.
Religion: C (Catholic)
Marriage date: 4/3/16
Native County of Wife: Cork E.R.
Recommendations: DI McMahon
Trade or Calling: Farmer
Appointment: 16 Oct 1901
Allocation: Armagh 18/July/1902, Kerry 1/11/02, Cork E.R. 17/7/09, Waterford 22/4/16
Reason for Leaving: Died 2/7/21
Cause of death: Shot dead in ambush

====

County of Cork E.R.: Creedon, Francis, Constable – Resolution of the Magistrates presiding at Coachford Petty Sessions, on the occasion of his transfer to Blarney, expressing regret at his removal, and placing on record their appreciation of the efficient and zealous manner in which he discharged his duties whilst station in their district. [Constabulary list – January 1914]

====

RIC Nominal Roll Books
The Nominal Roll books were taken at the start of each year, listing each member of the RIC and their station. All state that he joined 16th October 1901, and that he was #60464 at the following stations:
1910 Coachford
1911 Coachford
1916 Blarney
1917 Clashmore
1918 Tallow JS(?)
1919 Tallow
1920 – Tallow (noted as single!)
1921 Tallow

 

====

Mentions in the Newspapers as a Constable

in November 1912 he was accused of assault, which was later thrown out:
“…Long was returning to Dr. Godfrey’s place on the Sunday night question and had two drinks Dripsey, but while proceeding along the road to Dr. Godfrey’s place he met two policemen. Constable Creedon asked him for his name, but he refused to give on the ground that was doing nothing out of the way. It was most reasonable attitude for Long to have taken up because at the time doing nothing against the law. The defendants O’Neill and Goggin were arguing on the road, but they were considerable distance behind Long and Morrissey who had nothing to with them. Constable persisted in attacking Long, and be then knocked down Long and severely beat him with baton. A very serious injury was inflicted by the constable on Long, with the result that Long had to and get treated Dr. Godfrey…” [Cork Examiner – Thursday 02 November 1911]

Coachford Sessions: “Constable Creedon summoned Deane for having been drunk at Clonteedmore on the 23rd December, and in this case fine of 1s and costs was imposed.” [Friday 05 January 1912]

“Contribuiting to a fund to aid the widow and orphans of John Murphy, Kilcomlam,  Coachford (1912) … Constable Creedon 2s …” [Cork Examiner – Saturday 03 February 1912]

====

Miscellaneous

A republican household: The Creedon household at Adrivale was a republican household. Francis had joined the R.I.C. in 1902 which were peaceful times, and the RIC was seen by many as being a good pensionable job. So republican in fact that the house was a noted safe-house during the War of Independence, probably due to it’s remote location.

The Machine Gun: The machine gun used in the attack at Tallow was apparently one acquired by the IRA during the capture of the Mallow Barrack in September 1920 [Cork’s War of Independence] [2]

====

Unfinished:

TODO: get proper information on what happened on the day
+ awaiting reply from Tallow
TODO: make sure this is the correct location for the ambush

Q. Why did he join the RIC? – Good pay and conditions, a secure job … 1902 was a peaceful time and the force was made up of 98% Catholic, and many were farmers sons.

Q. What happened to Francis’ brother Patrick?

Q: Where was Francis’ father Michael buried when he died in 1909?