Charles Harper Craig

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 10/10/2017 - 10:26

First Name:

Charles

Middle Name:

Harper

Last Name:

Craig

Mother's Name:

Jean Craig nee Harper

Father's Name:

David Craig

Date Enlisted:

Monday, February 22, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

17th Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, February 23, 1945

Place of Death:

Helensburgh, N.S.W.

Details:

Charles Craig (Service No 1050) was born in Clifton, N.S.W. in 1890.

At enlistment Craig was single, 28 years old and worked as a miner. He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A32 Themistocles with 17th Battalion, C Company, on 12th May 1915.

After arriving in Egypt he went to Gallipoli but his file gives no dates for arrival or fate while there.

Charles arrived in France on 23rd March 1916. He was wounded in action at Pozieres on 26th July 1916 and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound to his right elbow.

On 5th March 1917 he was promoted to Corporal and returned to duty with 17th Battalion on 26th March 1917.

On 15th April 1917 Charles was wounded a second time but the injury is not stated.

On 2nd July 1917 he was promoted to Sergeant.

On 9th August 1918 Charles captured an enemy machine gun and crew without loss to his own men and was recommended for this action. As a result of these actions, on 20th August, Charles was recommended for the Military Medal, although this was not awarded.

On 11th August 1918 Charles was wounded a third time and evacuated to hospital for treatment of shrapnel wounds to his right thigh.

Charles was returned to Australia in April 1919 and discharged from the AIF on 31st July 1919.

He died in Helensburgh in 1945; his service is commemorated on the Helensburgh Publc School Roll of Honor.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, CRAIG C H