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Name: McCREATH, David Campbell MC** (Lieut-Col.)

Nee: brother of Thomas, son of Henry Gourlay McCreath

Birth Date: 6 May 1898 Berwick on Tweed

Death Date: 25 Apr 1979 Berwick on Tweed

First Date: 1926

Last Date: 1963

Profession: Farmer

Area: 1930 Kiganda Estate Thika, Mahoti partenr with Dodds

Married: In Thika 17 Oct 1936 Irene Jean Burnside Wight, b. 1916 (dau of Alexander Wight)

Children: Jean Margaret (4 May 1940 Nairob)i; David Robert (1942-12 Oct 2023 Berwick on Tweed, married Pat Robson); Jane Lucia (1944); Andrew Crichton (1946)

Book Reference: Golf, Red 25, Red 31, Hut, mini-SITREP XIV, Red 22, Ruiru, Wed, Masonic

War Service: RFA

School: St Ronan's, Berwick

General Information:

mini-SITREP XIV - Obituary - Lt Colonel David Campbell McCreath MC**, one of the best known residents in North Northumberland died yesterday. Colonel McCreath, of Thornton, Berwick had an outstanding record of service both in the 1914-18 and 1939-45 Wars.
Youngest son of the late Mr and Mrs H.G. McCreath, Wellington Terrace, Berwick, he was educated at St. Ronan's School, Berwick and Loretto. He left school early in the 1914-18 War and was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery. He was awarded the Military Cross in France in 1918 for his gallantry in keeping the last remaining section of his battery in action under intense fire during enemy advances. Later he was awarded a Bar to his MC for further conspicuous gallantry.
After the War, he and his three brothers carried on the well-known grain merchants' business of Messrs H.G. McCreath and sons but in 1926 he left with his brother Tom for Kenya to take up coffee planting at Thika. He was married while working there.
In 1937 he joined the King's African Rifles. In 1941 his heroism was again recognised with the rare award of a second Bar to the MC. At Tug Argan he continued to control his Battery for two days, even though his observation post was destroyed by enemy shellfire. And when his post was surrounded he held on for a further two days, helping the Infantry and directing their mortar fire from an exposed position. He inspired courage in others by his utter contempt of danger, the citation said. We can embellish the above with another summary of his career, namely - Reserve Officer (Captain) in the KAR in Somaliland with 1st (East African) Light Battery. Taken prisoner due to saving the life of Malcolm (surname forgotten) who was badly wounded in the legs and unable to walk. David was reported 'missing, believed killed'. His wife and baby daughter waited three months to hear 'safe and well - prisoner with Italians in Adi Ugri, Eritrea'.
Returned to Kenya on his release and served at Lark Hill in the Rift Valley in charge of Italian internees until the end. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1942. Returned to civilian life - District Officer at Machakos until 1952 - resumed coffee growing at Kiganda, Thika. Actively employed against Mau Mau in Thika District. Retired to Berwick upon Tweed in 1963. Died in May 1979, aged 81 years - survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
Masonic - District Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies - 1936-37
Red 25 has D.C. McCreath, Mombasa.
Red 31 has D.C. McCreath, Thika
Gazette 6 Dec 1938 Ukamba Voters List
Golf enthusiast at Thika Sports Club in early 30's.

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