Jun 21, 1895

Born in Ballycastle Ireland

Mar 15, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Lindsay, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59211 (temporary number 1311)

Ø      Next of kin given as William John Craig, brother, Gravenhurst, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Steamfitter

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jul 9, 1915

Admitted to the St. Martin’s Plain Tent Hospital, Shorncliffe, with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Aug 11, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Oct 7, 1915

While in the front line near Mesen Road, Ploegsteert, Belgium, he received shrapnel wounds to his right leg and was treated first at a field ambulance then transferred to the No. 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment. 

He was transferred the same day by No. 4 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the 14^th General Hospital in Wimereux where surgery was performed to remove shrapnel fragments

Oct 11, 1915

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Anglia

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Northumberland War Hospital, Rosforth, Newcastle where 7 separate operations were performed on his wounds to remove shrapnel fragments and to treat infection

Posted to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

Feb 15, 1916

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) while in hospital for pay purposes

May 14, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Wokingham

May 26, 1916

Transferred to the Granville Special Canadian Hospital in Ramsgate

Aug 25, 1916

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 1^st CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for Physical Therapy

Sep 22, 1916

Declared fit for full duty and posted to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling from the Monks Horton Hospital

Oct 6, 1916

Posted to the CCAC, but remained with the 39^th Reserve Battalion when he was reclassified as PB (Permanent Base) meaning he was only available for non combat employment

Dec 7, 1916

Posted to the 64^th Battalion in Shoreham

Dec 22, 1916

Posted to the 1^st Canadian Labour Battalion in Shoreham

Jan 8, 1917

Posted to the 1^st Labour Battalion in France

Jan 11, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness and performing light duties

Jun 6, 1917

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 7, 1917

TOS the 21^st Battalion

Jun 17, 1917

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Jun 26, 1917

Joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in Hersin

Aug 21, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion billets in Villers au Bois, north west of Arras

Dec 4, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 20, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Mar 4, 1918

Exposed to a gas attack and admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid.  He was then transferred to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Mar 5, 1918

Transferred via No. 35 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers

Mar 13, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Chester War Hospital

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Mar 20, 1918

Transferred to the Croesnewydd Auxiliary Hospital Military Hosptial, Wrexham

May 10, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Epsom

Jun 7, 1918

Discharged from Hospital and On Command to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for Physical Therapy

Aug 22, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Sep 4, 1918

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 5, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD in Etaples, France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Sep 9, 1918

Joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast as part of a draft of 69 reinforcements destined for the 2^nd Division

Sep 11, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Division Reserve on the Droucourt Queant Line as part of a draft of 50 reinforcements

Oct 11, 1918

During the battalion’s attack on Avesnes Le Sec, north east of Iwuy, France, Private Craig was killed in action.  He was subsequently buried in the Niagara Cemetery in Iwuy.

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his brother, William Craig, 137 Simpson St., Sault St. Marie, Ontario 

There was no Memorial Cross issued