Tag: Sean Creighton

Thomas Crawford (c1772 to 1836): Soldier, Husband and Father

There are a number of historians who make it their business to improve our understanding of British history by documenting the contribution of Black and mixed heritage men and women. We are honoured to have two of them, Audrey Dewjee and John Ellis, as regular contributors to this site.

Today it is the turn of John Ellis, who has given us a short article about Thomas Crawford, a man who served his country with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars.  Born in Africa (Guinea) in about 1772, Thomas was buried at St. Cuthbert’s church, Darlington on 27th February 1836.

St. Cuthbert’s church, Darlington

You can read John’s article here:

https://www.historycalroots.com/trumpeter-thomas-crawford-of-the-4th-dragoons/

Sean Creighton

Sean Creighton was another of the dedicated band of historians who sought to re-balance British history. Sadly, Sean died earlier this year but he was someone who enhanced our knowledge in many ways and John Ellis particularly asked me to mention him in the context of this latest article. Sean attended Durham university, he continued to take a keen interest in the history of the area up to his death and Thomas Crawford was someone he knew of and wrote about. We acknowledge Sean’s own contribution and are glad that we had the privilege of knowing him.

     

Sean Creighton – 17th July 1947 to 15th May 2024

Some who subscribe to this blog will be aware of Sean Creighton and also, sadly, that he died recently. For those who weren’t aware, Sean was a community activist and stalwart of the local history scene, particularly in London, where he lived latterly, and in the North-East.

We first met Sean when he hosted a local history walk around some of the local sites associated with our favourite composer, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. The wealth of research that had gone into the walk was very evident and Sean was an engaging guide, happy to share his knowledge. We enjoyed a pint or two in a convenient hostelry afterwards.

After that, we met Sean many times at events where he regularly ran a book stall. He was a publisher too and several of his books and pamphlets jostle for space on our bookshelves. He was a great organiser (one comment at his funeral was that, thanks to his passion and commitment, ‘Sean was the secretary of every group going’) and he graciously invited us to speak at the Norbury Literary Festival (of which he was a driving force) last year on the topic of ‘Writing Black History.’ There are many who knew Sean better than us but it was a privilege to be invited to his house for a birthday gathering last year, his last as it turned out, and to have known him.

His funeral was a fitting tribute, there was standing room only at Lambeth crematorium, with others watching a livestream.

There were tributes from family and friends. One comment that would resonate with those who knew Sean was that, had he lived a few more weeks, he would doubtless have penned a paper on 5th July on how the Labour Government needed to do better!

Perhaps funerals shouldn’t have ‘highlights’ but Tayo Aluko gave a powerful and moving rendition of the Ballad of Joe Hill, here is Paul Robeson’s version (without Tayo’s added verse about Sean):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8Kxq9uFDes

The central message of the song is certainly one that sums up Sean’s outlook…

‘Organise!’