John Manson Craig

John Manson Craig
John Manson Craig
Born	5 March 1896; Comrie, Perthshire
Died	19 February 1970 (aged 73); Crieff, Perthshire
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army; Royal Air Force
Years of service	1915–1919; 1940–1945
Rank	Wing Commander
Unit	The Royal Scots Fusiliers
Battles / wars	First World War; Second World War
Awards	Victoria Cross

John Manson Craig, VC (5 March 1896 – 19 February 1970) was a British Army officer and Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Craig was 21 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 1/4th Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, British Army, attached to 1/5th Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 5 June 1917, an advanced post at Umbella Hills (southwest of Gaza) having been rushed by the enemy, Second Lieutenant Craig immediately organised a rescue party and after tracking the enemy back to his trenches, set his party to work removing the dead and wounded under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. An NCO was wounded and a medical officer who went to his aid was also wounded. Second Lieutenant Craig went out at once and got the NCO under cover, but while taking the medical officer to shelter was himself wounded. Nevertheless, the rescue was effected, and he then scooped cover for the wounded, thus saving their lives.^[1]^[2]

Craig served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

References

^ "No. 30215". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 July 1917. pp. 7905–7906.
^ Staunton, Anthony (2008). "Victoria Crosses of the Palestine Campaign". Sabretache. 49 (3): 8.

External links

Location of grave and VC medal (Tayside)

[1] "No. 30215". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 July 1917. pp. 7905–7906.

[2] Staunton, Anthony (2008). "Victoria Crosses of the Palestine Campaign". Sabretache. 49 (3): 8.

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