Biography of Lieutenant Noel Henry Cragg 1892-1915

On 22nd September 1882 [his father] Captain Wilfred Alfred Cragg (age 22) and [his mother] Adelaide Alexandra Gilliat (age 18) were married in Westfield, Sussex.

On 17th December 1892 Lieutenant Noel Henry Cragg was born to Captain Wilfred Alfred Cragg (age 33) and Adelaide Alexandra Gilliat (age 28) at Threekingham, Lincolnshire.

On 20th September 1915 Lieutenant Noel Henry Cragg (age 22) was killed in action by shell fire at Nieuport, Belgium while in charge of a naval gun. He was buried at Dunkirk. While serving on H.M.S. King Edward VII he was publicly thanked by Admiral Sir Lewis Bayley and noted by the Admiralty for saving life at sea. As Sub-Lieutenant on H.M.S. Hind T.B.D. [Torpedo Boat Destroyer] he took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight and the Cuxhaven Raid. He was mentioned in Sir John French's despatches for gallant and distinghuished conduct in the field.

Grantham Journal 1915 Sep 25. 25th September 1915. THREEKINGHAM. NEWS has been received that Lieut. Noel H. Cragg (deceased), T.N.., youngest son of Captain and Mrs. W. A. Cragg, of Threekingham House, has killed in action. No particulars are at present, to hand, but it is known that deceased, who was an officer on H.M.S. Hind, was engaged with sone Naval guns inland on the western battle front. The news has aroused deep sympathy and regret in the district, where the family is well known and respected. Captain Cragg has left for London, in hope of learning further particulars of his son;'s end. Deceased was a prominent sportsman, frequently assisted the Billingborough Cricket Club when at home on leave. He was about twenty-two years of age. Captain and Mrs. Cragg had four sons serving in the Army. The other three are Capt. W. G. Cragg (Loyal North Lancashire Regiment), Lieut E. Cragg (23rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 1st Sportsman's), and Second-Lieut. J. F. Cragg (8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment).

Boston Guardian 1915 Sep 25. 25th September 1915. Office Killed in Action. Lieut. Noel H. Cragg (deceased), R.N.., youngest son of Captain W. A. and Mrs. Cragg, of Threekingham House, near Billingborough, has been killed in action. No particulars are at present to hand, but it is known that he was engaged with some Naval guns inland on the western battle front. Captain Cragg has left for France in hope of learning further particulars of his son's end. Lieut. Cragg was a keen sportsman, and when at home on leave he frequently assisted the Billingborough Cricket Club. He was about 22 years of age. Captain and Mrs. Cragg had four sons all serving their country, the other tree being Captain W. G. Cragg (Loyal Lancashire Regiment), Captain E. Cragg (Royal Fusiliers, Sportsman's Battalion) and Lieut. J. F. Cragg (8th Lincolns).

After 1916. Memorial to brothers Lieutenant Noel Henry Cragg and [his brother] Lieutenant John Francis Cragg (age 27); both killed in action. St Peters Church, Threekingham [Map].

Boston Guardian 1915 Oct 16. Threekingham Family's Patriotism. The King's Appreciation. [his father] Captain W. A. Cragg, of Threekingham House, near Billingborough, has been honoured with a letter from the King expressing his Majesty's appreciation of the patriotic spirit which has prompted his four sons to give their services to the army and navy.

One of Captain Cragg's sons, Lieut. N. H. Cragg, R.N., has been killed in action, and another, Lieut. J. F. Cragg, has been wounded.

Grantham Journal 1915 Oct 02. Threekingham. The Death Of Lieut. Cragg, R.N. – Further particulars are to hand concerning the death of Lieut. Noel H. Cragg, R.N., who was killed in action on the Western battle front, on Sept 20th. It seems that he recieved his fatal wound in the region of Nieuport, Belgium, while in charge of a naval 6 inch gun in the rear of the French trenches. When on the "Hind" torpedo boat destroyer, he took park in the battle of Heligoland Bight in August of last year, and the subsequent raid on Cuxhaven. He also gained distinction when Sub-Lieutenant on board the "King Edward VII.," for in May, 1914, he received the public thanks of Admiral Sir Lewis Bayley for saving life at sea, and was by him recommended to the favourable consideration of the Admiralty.