27. Robert Creighton (1870-1899), wheelwright and first person to be buried at Karrakatta Cemetery
Robert Creighton was born in New South Wales. It is probable that he was amongst the many thousands of young hopeful “t’othersiders” who joined the gold rush to Western Australia during the 1890s. Little is known of his life.
He was employed as a wheelwright at Waroona by Gill McDowell Timber Company. His “claim to fame” rests in his death. Creighton died of typhoid fever at Perth Hospital on 23 April 1899 at the age of 29 years. His was the first burial at Karrakatta Cemetery the next day.
It is interesting to note that the burial did not take place in the first Anglican section AA. Creighton died of an infectious disease, and the cemetery trustees were keen to attract “custom” from East Perth Cemeteries. The inscription on the grave still reads “killed at Waroona”.