Tyne Cot Memorial
Tyne Cot Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Craggs was born 1895 in Haswell, County Durham, the only son and one of 4 children, of whom only 3 survived, 1 boy and 2 girls, born to Andrew Craggs 1871 and Margaret Ellen Reay 1870 both natives of Haswell, County Durham. His parents were married in Easington district June 1891, unfortunately his mother died in 1900 when Robert was only 5 years old. His father was employed as a coal miner - hewer, in 1911 the family were living at 23, Edward Street, Robert now 16 years old worked as a pony driver at the colliery.
With the declaration of war Robert Craggs enlisted, in Stanley, September 3rd 1914 assigned as Private 17747, “A” Coy, 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. So many men applied to enlist that they were sent to train in Aldershot and Ashford. The Battalion embarked for France August 24th 1915 arriving August 25th. May 7th 1916 he was struck by an attack of gastritis, sent to the 70th Field Ambulance for treatment and returned to duty the following day. The summer of 1916 the battalion joined the fighting on the Somme and participated in the capture of Contalmaison July 10th. He was wounded in the chest August 7th 1916 and taken to the 23rd Dressing Station by the 70th Field Ambulance, he returned to duty 2 days later. The capture of la Sars was secured in October 1917 after which the battalion was sent to the Ypres salient where they participated in the Battle of Messines 7-14th June 1917 and the Battle of Passendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, July to November 1917. Private 17747 Robert Craggs 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was killed in action during the period of the Battle of Passendaele, September 20th 1917. He has no known grave, his sacrifice is recorded at Tynecot Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing, Zonnebeke, near Ypres, Belgium, panel 128 to 131 and 162 and 162A .
His father Andrew as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Robert was 22 years old and single, his father Andrew died June 1931, district of Lanchester, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Craggs (Craigs) is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 C120.02 and C120.04
His name is in the Durham Light Infantry Book of Remembrance kept in the DLI Memorial Chapel Durham Cathedral D47.013
