100 Days of Heroes: Confectioner’s son William Cragg successful on second attempt to enlist

POOR dental health was an issue for many of Australia’s soldiers in World War I so it is not surprising that confectioner’s son William Cragg was rejected on his first attempt to enlist.

POOR dental health was an issue for many of Australia’s soldiers in World War I so it is not surprising that confectioner’s son William Cragg was rejected on his first attempt to enlist.

Born in Hobart in October 1893, William was the youngest son of Thomas and Sarah Cragg.

Private William Leslie Cragg died at age 22 after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.

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Despite initially being rejected because of “defective teeth”, William was accepted when he volunteered again at Claremont in August 1915.

He had been educated at St David’s Boys School, a small Anglican school that had closed by the start of the war. After leaving school at 14 he found work as a house painter.

He joined up with the 12th Battalion’s 12th reinforcements and left Australia in November 1915. He was 21 and the family was living at 120 Elizabeth St, Hobart.

While training in Egypt he transferred to the 1st Pioneer Battalion in April 1916 and embarked for France the next month.

While in the field in France he received a severe gunshot wound to his head on May 20, causing a compound fracture of the skull.

Private William Leslie Cragg is remembered at tree 178 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue in Hobart.

He was taken to the 2nd Field Ambulance and then to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station before being placed on the ambulance train for Etaples on May 23, dangerously ill.

He remained in a critical condition in the No. 26 General Hospital for several days and succumbed to his wounds at 10.30am on June 1, 1916.

He was buried in Camiers Rd Cemetery, now known as Etaples Military Cemetery.

The Hobart City Council meeting on June 19 carried a condolence motion for Mr T. Cragg on account of the death of his son.

Private William Leslie Cragg is remembered at tree 178 on the Solders’ Memorial Avenue.

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