Family Information
Eldest son of David and Margaret Craig of 24 Long Row, Summerlee, Coatbridge. From the 1891 Census - Address - E&G Road, Bruce's Land, Bothwell - David Craig aged 31, Margaret Craig aged 26, Jane Craig aged 2, William Craig aged 5 months. From the 1901 Census - Address - 69 Old Square, Coatbridge - David Craig aged 40, Margaret Craig aged 37, Jane Craig aged 12, William Craig aged 10 and David Craig aged 2. William's Pension was awarded to his mother Margaret on the 31/05/1919.
Additional Information
William and the Battalion arrived in Boulogne on the 09/07/1915 and were part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. The Order of Battle for the Battle of Loos, 25/9/1915 - 8/10/1915 : Gas release to be made along Divisional Front from 5.50am with Zero hour set for 6.30am. In the first instance, Brigade to secure the German front-line area known as, 'The Jews Nose', and then press on to secure the enemy's second-line east of Loos village. Once these objectives had been captured, surviving troops were to press on and secure Hill 70. The Brigade was to attack with the 9th Black Watch right and the 8th Seaforth Highlanders left, both supported by 7th Cameron Highlanders. 10th Gordon Highlanders were to be held in reserve. On the 24/9/1915 Brigade to assembly trenches. "A" Company vanguard. 25/9/1915 at 5.50am - Gas release commenced followed by smoke release. Germany artillery responded immediately fearful of a British attack. At that time the wind changed, and the lethal gas blew back on the troops mustering to go 'over the top' at 6.30am, causing significant casualties and confusion. At the appointed time, the 9th Black Watch went into the attack and carried its initial objectives under heavy fire, suffering further significant casualties. By 8.30am, troops had begun to assault Hill 70, and later in the day attempts were made to press on to Cite St. Auguste and Dinamentiere. SEE PHOTOS x 34 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM 1st SEPTEMBER - 1st OCTOBER 1915. Scottish Regiments lost a huge amount of brave men at Loos. Here is a list of Infantry Battalions who lost more than 500 men at the Battle of Loos from 25/09/1915 to 16/10/1915 - 7th Cameron Highlanders 687, of which 19 Officers, 9th Black Watch 680, of which 20 Officers, 6th King's Own Scottish Borderers 650, of which 20 Officers, 10th Highland Light Infantry 648, of which 20 Officers, 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers 631, of which 20 Officers, 8th Devons 619, of which 19 Officers, 8th Royal West Kents 580, of which 24 Officers, 8th Buffs 558, of which 24 Officers, 12th Highland Light Infantry 553, of which 23 Officers, 8th Black Watch 511, of which 19 Officers, 5th North Staffordshire 505, of which 20 Officers, 8th SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS 502, OF WHICH 23 OFFICERS. William was 1 of 99 men from the Coatbridge Memorial who fell during and from injuries from the Battle of Loos. William is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Loos Memorial, his name on the Loos Memorial Panel List, the Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge and William's Pension Record x 2. Finally, see photos of a wreath x 2 placed by myself at Loos Memorial in July 2023 remembering ALL the men who left from the Iron Burgh who are named there, one of myself at the Seaforth Highlanders panel at the Loos Memorial in July 2023 (William listed top right), a Newspaper clipping from the Coatbridge Express 15/12/1915, PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK ON THE 25/09/1915, PHOTOS FOR 33 PAGES FROM THE MOST UNFAVOURABLE GROUND BOOK REGARDING THE BATTALION and DIVISION 25/09/1915 (fantastic book on the Battle of Loos kindly signed by the author Niall Cherry) and the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died).
