Corporal Robert Andrew Craig

 

Robert Andrew Craig was born on 20 February 1897 at Drumcrow, Raphoe, County Donegal, the seventh of eight children of farmer John Hamilton Craig and his wife Harriett (née Lowry). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Drumcrow with his parents and five of his siblings.

Craig enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 25 November 1914 and 9 February 1915 (No. UD/204). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the Regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Craig, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Craig was issued regimental number 41380.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918.

In April 1918 the remnants of the 9th (NIH) Battalion were moved to the Ypres front, where their numbers were bolstered by fresh drafts from the UK and men returning from leave. It was there on 9 April that the Germans began the next phase of their offensive. The battalion saw severe fighting between Wulverghem and Kemmel for more than a week, and Craig was one of the casualties. (Note: The War Office Daily Casualty List incorrectly states that he was from Drumbeg, rather than Drumcrow.)

According to the Londonderry Sentinel of 25 April:

Trooper Robert Craig, Inniskilling Dragoons (attached Royal Irish Fusiliers), admitted to hospital in France suffering from shrapnel wounds on the face, is a son of Mr. John Craig, Drumcrow, Raphoe, and brother of Mr. H.L. Craig, of Messrs. Craig & Wellwood, Londonderry.

Whether he saw any further front-line service during the war is not known at present. On 5 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

After the war Craig returned to farming, at the 'ancestral home' at Broadlea. On 20 June 1934 he married Isobel Georgina McKean in the St Johnston Presbyterian Church, Taughboyne Parish, County Donegal. He died in 1982 and was buried in the Raphoe First Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

 

 

One of Craig's brothers, John Hamilton Craig, also served in the war, as a gunner in the Canadian Field Artillery (No.338017). His brother-in-law, Lieutenant William John Patterson, Army Service Corps, was gassed on 7 September 1918.

The article below gives further interesting information about the Craig family.

 

Londonderry Sentinel, 10 December 1936

 

Gravestone image sourced from the Find-a-Grave site.

 

This page last updated 2 September 2023.