JOHN JAMES CRAGGS
John James Craggs
Born 1/8/1887, the son of Sir John George Craggs, Kt., M.V.O. & Lady Helen Craggs of Redland, Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire
Educated at Winchester College until 1905 and rowed in the School IV. For his image & biography - Click here
Articled as an accountant to Sir William Plender & then joined his father's firm of Craggs, Turketine & Co., later becoming a partner
A prominent member of the London Rowing Club, he competed 5 times at the Henley Regatta between between 1909 & 1914
Commissioned from the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps 21/11/16 as 2nd Lieutenant, 6th Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Transferred to 1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps in early 1917
KIA F&F 17/2/17 at Miraumont in the Battle of Boom Ravine, the final Somme battle before the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line - Click here
His Commanding Officer wrote: 'Your son had only been a very short time with us, but we all liked him very much, and he would have made a very good officer. Before we attacked, we had to lie in the open for sometime under heavy shell-fire, and your son did very good work in going about encouraging the men. He was killed at the very commencement of the attack'.
Buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France
Commemorated in the UK on St Jude's Church War Memorial, South Kensington
His Officers Papers exist at TNA but we have not checked them Ref: WO 339/68045
With copy of his Medal Index Card, ODGW & CWGC details plus supporting documentation
Condition: With 'WA' Woolwich Arsenal stamp on reverse, VF+
