More about John Russell Craig

John R Craig was the third son of Mr and Mrs Charles Craig of 2 Park Avenue, Dundee and was a Plumber by trade. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in February 1915 for service in the Royal Naval Division. He must have displayed exceptional ability during initial Naval training at the Crystal Palace in South London because he was advanced to Petty Officer before proceeding to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training. He was drafted from Blandford to join the Hood Battalion in Gallipoli arriving in November 1915. In May 1916 he was with the Hood Battalion when it was shipped from the Middle East to France. After training in Army tactics the RND began to experience the war on the Western Front and was being prepared to join in the Somme battle. One of the first day’s objectives of the British attack on 1 July 1916 was the capture of the village of Beaucourt just to the west of the River Ancre. It was finally taken on 14 November by the men of the RND. This was the first major operation by the RND in France and established a reputation for being a “Can Do” Division. However, the casualty list was very long and over 30 local men were killed and countless more wounded. This was the worst ever day for Dundee’s Naval forces in the First World War John Craig was killed in action but body was not found and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in Northern France. His photograph appeared in the Courier 29 November 1916 page 4.

DUNDEE PETTY OFFICER KILLED

Official information has been received by Mr Charles Craig, 2 Park Avenue, Dundee, that his son, Petty Officer John Russell Craig of the Royal Naval Division, has been killed in action.

He was 22 years of age, and previous to enlistment was employed by Messrs John Crighton and Sons, Cowgate, as an apprentice plumber.  Two brothers are serving with the colours.  One is in the Royal Naval Division and the other (youngest) is attached to the Seaforth Highlanders.

Dundee Courier 29^th November 1916