Lieutenant James Craig (115186) served in 7th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the Second World War. Born on 29th September 1894, he was the son of rate collector and auctioneer Richard James Craig and Mary Craig (née Anderson) of Breda House, Randalstown, Co. Antrim, and husband of Kathleen Maude Cairns Craig (née Northey) of Iva-Craig Cottage, Craigavad, Co. Down.
The 1901 Irish Census lists James living with his 44-year-old father and 29-year-old mother at 2 Shane Street, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. Also in the house are Lavinia Craig aged 9 years old, Jessie Campbell Craig aged 3 years old, William Charles Craig aged 2 years old, and a baby John Campbell Craig. The family has a 28-year-old servant named Sarah Hutchinson.
Craig’s education took place at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Belfast, and at Queen’s University, Belfast. He attended the Belfast grammar school from 1908-1912 before moving on to study medicine at University. After graduating, he worked as a solicitor, the Assistant (Petty Sessions) Solicitor for the Belfast Corporation.
Craig was well known as one of the best athletes in Ulster, setting many sprint records during his time as a student and in the army during The Great War. He represented Ireland in 100-yard and 220-yard races. In 1914, he received a call-up to the Great Britain team for the 1916 Olympics Games, an event that never occurred due to the outbreak of war.
His 100-yard record was 10.1 seconds and as of 1941, his records at both RBAI and QUB still stood. He maintained a close relationship with the North of Ireland Athletic Association, having been their Chairman. He had also been President of the Queen’s University Athletic Association.
Military Service
James served in the Royal Irish Rifles in The Great War and was twice mentioned in despatches. As a Captain, he sustained gunshot wounds on 1st July 1916. He remained at home convalescing until February 1917. On his return to the front, he again received injuries to the right arm and thigh on 17th August 1917.
After returning from the war, James qualified as a solicitor and worked in Co. Antrim. In 1929, he became an Assistant (Petty Sessions) Solicitor for the Belfast Corporation. The corporation was a forerunner of the Belfast City Council.
On 11th May 1921, Craig married Kathleen Maud Cairns Northey, the daughter of the late Reverend Joseph Northey, at Macrory Memorial Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The couple had a young daughter.
Lieutenant James Craig died on 10th May 1941 aged 46 years old. His death took place at Holywood Military Hospital, Holywood, Co. Down, where the Lieutenant received treatment for wounds.
Reverend L.W. Martin of Helen’s Bay Presbyterian Church, Co. Down conducted a funeral service at 1315hrs on 13th May 1941. In attendance were members of North of Ireland Athletics Association, Queen’s University Athletic Association, Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland, and Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Attendees also included Town Clerk Mr. John Archer, Deputy Town Clerk Mr. JF McKinstry, Mr. TJ McKeown and Mr. S Love of Belfast Corporation, and members of the Royal Ulster Rifles.
James Craig’s grave is in Section G2, Grave 593 of Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast. His name features on the Queen’s University War Memorial, Belfast and on the Royal Courts of Justice War Memorial, Chichester Street, Belfast.