Archibald Reginald CRAIG

CRAIG, Archibald Reginald

Service Number: 3140
Enlisted: 30 July 1916, Kalgoorlie. Western Australia
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1)
Born: Newtown, New South Wales, Australia, 19 July 1889
Home Town: Kalgoorlie, Kalgoorlie/Boulder, Western Australia
Schooling: Perth Christian Brothers School, Western Australia
Occupation: Chaffeur/Groom/Butcher
Died: Killed in Action, Belgium, 13 October 1917, aged 28 years
Cemetery: Passchendaele, New British Cemetery
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
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World War 1 Service

30 Jul 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3140, Kalgoorlie. Western Australia
23 Dec 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3140, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: ''
23 Dec 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3140, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), HMAT Berrima, Fremantle
13 Oct 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3140, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), Third Ypres

Archibald Reginald Craig - My maternal grandfather

Publications where Arch/Reg is remembered:

For King and Cobbers - battalion history of 51st Bn. AIF 1916-1919 by Neville Browning
Western Front Diaries - by Jonathon King
Western Ancestor Vol.12 No.1 March 2012 - journal of the WA Genealogy Society, article by Reg Bonney
Links'N'Chains - No. 99 October 2011 - journal of the Liverpool Genealogy Society NSW, same article and image as above

I have been researching my ancestors since 1986 but have failed to confirm where and when this man was born or who his parents were. His widow had provided some detail of his earlier life when she completed and returned a "Roll of Honour Circular" for the Defence Dept.

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Biography contributed by John Edwards

"3140 Private Archibald Reginald Craig, 51st Battalion AIF... Pte Craig, a chauffeur from Kalgoorlie, WA, enlisted in September 1916 and embarked with the 8th Reinforcements, 52st Battalion, on HMAT Berrima from Fremantle, WA, on 23 December 1916. Pte Craig was killed in action when a trench was shelled near Zonnebeke, Belgium, on 13 October 1917. Pte Craig was one of nineteen men killed or wounded in the incident, and he was aged 26 years." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

Son of Archibald and Janet Craig.

Husband of Myrtle Elizabeth Craig (nee Venus)

Father of Noray Venus Craig

 

Coincidentally the death occured of an Archibald Craig (son of Archibald and Alice) and husband of Janet, on 21 Dec 1888 (eight months prior to the birth of Archibald Reginald on 19 Jul 1889), after having been struck by lightning two days previous. It is NOT KNOWN if this was the father of Archibald Reginald...

Appearing in several newspapers of the day was the following advertisment/announcement written by Archibald's mother Janet;

"Special Announcements.

 79 Elizabeth-street, Waterloo.
 29th December, 1888.
 TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE CITIZEN'S LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY, Limited.
 47 Castlereagh-street, Sydney.

 GENTLEMEN,—

Allow me to convey to you my sincere thanks for the prompt manner in which the claim under Policy 55335 on the life of my husband, Archibald Craig, was settled. He was only insured on the 6th November last, and on Wednesday, during the great thunderstorm, whilst standing at the house door, was struck by lightning, and lingered in great agony until Friday, when he succumbed. The total premiums paid on the policy was only 1s 9d, and the full sum assured, £9 9s, was paid over at once, without my being put to any trouble or expense. Little did I think the policy would be a claim so soon; but this only shows how people should be prepared, and take advantage of the great blessing of an Industrial Life Policy.

I will always do my best to forward the interests of your Company. 

Yours most respectfully,
JANET CRAIG.
Witness— Hy. Wood." - from the Sydney Daily Telegraph 01 Jan 1889 (trove.nla.gov.au)

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