Craig, James
Mentioned in Despatches with 2 Bars
Lieutenant
No. 115186, 7th Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles
Died of wounds on Saturday 10 May 1941 (aged 46)
Buried:
Belfast City Cemetery, Northern Ireland (Section G. 2. Grave 593)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Memorial plaque in the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast
Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI)
Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)
BIOGRAPHY
James Craig was born on 29 September 1894 in Ballygrooby and he was a son of Richard James Craig and Mary Craig (nee Anderson) of Breda House, Randalstown. They were married on 21 May 1891 in St Anne’s Church of Ireland Church, Belfast. Richard James Craig (aged 30) from Clomboy, Randalstown was a son of James Craig, a farmer. Mary Anderson (aged 22) from 3 Spamount Street, Belfast was a daughter of John Anderson, a labourer.
Richard James Craig worked as a rate collector and auctioneer and he and Mary had at least five children:
Lavinia (born 2 September 1891 in Glenavy, Lisburn)
James (born 29 September 1894 in Ballygrooby, Randalstown)
Jessie Campbell (born 6 April 1897 in Ballygrooby, Randalstown)
William Charles (born 29 April in Ballygrooby, Randalstown)
John Campbell (born 22 August 1900 in Ballygrooby, Randalstown)
James Craig attended Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) from 1908 until 1912 and then Queen’s University Belfast. In civilian life he worked as a solicitor; he was Assistant (Petty Sessions) Solicitor in Belfast Corporation. He was an outstanding athlete and held several sprint records.
James Craig was on active service during the First World War, and he was eligible for a silver war badge, but it appears that he did not apply for one.
On 11 May 1921 James Craig and Kathleen Maud Cairns Northey were married in Macrory Memorial Presbyterian Church, Belfast. They had a daughter and lived at Ivacraig, Craigavad.
James Craig’s father died on 31 March 1930 and his effects amounted to some £1,086. Probate was granted to his widow Mary and his son James. During the Second World War Lieutenant James Craig (No. 115186) served with the Royal Ulster Rifles and he was 46 when he died on 10 May 1941 in Holywood Military Hospital. His effects amounted to some £1,793 and probate was granted to his widow Mary and to Hector Francis Northey who was a medical doctor.
The Rev L.W. Martin, Helen’s Bay Presbyterian Church conducted Lieutenant James Craig’s funeral service and he was buried in Belfast City Cemetery.
Lieutenant James Craig (No. 115186) is commemorated on the memorial plaque in the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast; in RBAI, and in QUB.