Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Ploegsteert.
BX December 21, 1915
Private Roy Johathan Craig Killed in Action – Brantford Man Killed by German Bomb While in Firing Line
Mrs. Mary E. Craig, 11 Balfour Street, has received word confirming the death of Pte. Roy J. Craig, a Brantford boy with the 4th C.M.R. He was the first member of Trinity Anglican Church to be killed in action.
The following confirmatory letter was received by Mrs. Craig:
December 2, 1915
Belgium,
Mrs. Mary E. Craig,
11 Balfour St.,
Brantford, Ont., Canada
Dear Madam,
I wish to confirm the sad news of Roy J. Craig’s death. He was killed by a bomb, while in action and death was instantaneous. The unfortunate occurrence happened at 11 p.m. on December 1. He was buried December 2, and I attended his funeral, and for your future reference, the location of his grave is: Shee, Ypres Canadian Cemetery, T 18. D 4 6.
I am sending a package under another cover of the few personal effects that a soldier is able to carry. His money that he carried I am forwarding to the Canadian Pay Office, which will be forwarded to you with the balance of his pay from the pay and record office (Canadian) London, England.
Any further information you may require I will be pleased to give you at any time.
Yours truly,
(Signed) T.W. Farmer (Captain)
Paymaster 4th C.M.R.
BX December 31, 1915
Sympathy For Loss of Her Son
Mrs. Mary E. Craig, 11 Balfour Street, has received a number of sympathetic letters on the death of her son, Staff Signaller Roy Jonathan Craig whose death in action took place on Dec. 1, while he was with the C.M.R. Word has also been received that the body was reverently laid to rest alongside those of some 200 other gallant Canadians, and that the spot will be maintained by the British government, to whom the land will be deeded after the war.
The following card of sympathy was received from their Majesties the King and Queen:
“The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow.”
From Canada
From Canada, with whose troops he fought, came the following official condolence to his mother:
“The Prime Minister and members of the Government of Canada send their deepest sympathy in the bereavement which you have sustained.”
From Sam Hughes
From the Minister of Militia and defense, Major General Sir Sam Hughes came the following message:
December 23, 1915
Minister’s Office, Ottawa
Dear Mrs. Craig
Will you kindly accept my sincere sympathy, and condolence in the decease of that worthy citizen and heroic soldier, your son, Pte. Ray Jonathan Craig.
While one cannot too deeply mourn the loss of such a brave comrade, there is consolation in knowing that he did his duty fearlessly and well, and gave his live for the cause of liberty and the up building of the Empire. Again, extending to you my heartfelt sympathy.
Faithfully,
Sam Hughes,
Major General, Minister of Militia and Defense Canada
The Burial
Of the burial of Signaller Roy Jonathan Craig his chaplain, Capt. the Rev. George O. Fallis sent the following consolatory message:
December 12, 1915
France
Dear Mrs. Craig,
You have heard long before this through the war office that your dear son was killed in action on Dec. 1. Our First Brigade and the Second Brigade of C.M.R. were in a fierce bombardment that day and the result was we lost several of our men. Your son was one of the fallen.
I know no word of mine can ever take his place in any degree and yet I dare say that you have a good deal, from which you may take consolation. Your son died not as a slacker avoiding the issues of life but as a noble man, facing all odds for right and truth.
And then, too, he had a Christian burial. We laid him to rest behind a natural park on a rich estate in Southern Belgium, where about 200 of our fallen heroes lie. The spot is beautiful and is on most historic ground. We rounded up his grave and from a neighboring field brought sods and made the spot look neat and trim as at home.
It will bring comfort for you to know that these spots are permanent. The Belgian and French governments have already promised to deed these spots to the British nation after the war. So your dear boy lies not in a nameless grave but in a permanent spot. We put a cross at his head.
Then, too, you have the Christian religion from which to draw comfort. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” and that is just what your son has done. Surely, he has made the great renunciation of self. He has given up life for home and loved ones, and native land, and all those principles, which we hold dear. In the Father’s House of many mansions, he shall have his reward. Jesus said in the deepest saddest moment of His life “Father into Thy Hands I command my spirit.” That is a rich example for us to follow. May God bless and keep you. I should like to hear from you. Capt. Wilkin another chaplain who was with me will write too, I believe.
Very Sincerely,
George O. Fallis, Captain
1st C.M.R. Brigade Headquarters
Memorial Service
A memorial service was held at Holy Trinity Church, of which he was a member, on Sunday evening last, with Rev. S.E. McKegney in charge. He emphasized the fact that young sig. Craig had carried his confirmation card with him to the trenches and it was returned after he had met his death, the receipt of the parcel containing his personal belongings being the first intimation that he had met death.
