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to T Bodill.
Born on September 10th, 1824, the son of James CRAIG and Ann (née GUTHRIE)at Balbeggie in Parish of Kinnoull, and baptised on September 12th, 1824 at the Kirk of Collace by Rev. ROGERS of Perth.On August 25th 1843 James CRAIG, then aged 19 years, enlisted with the Scots Fusilier Regiment of Foot Guards, and attested to the same regiment at Perthon August 26th, 1843.
He served as Private No. 3075 until June 10th 1846,was promoted to Corporal on June 11th, 1846 and after five years was made aSergeant on July 22nd, 1851. He gained the rank of Colour-Sergeant on June27th, 1855.
On April 17th 1849 he had married Elizabeth Anne SCRUZE, at Stepney, Londonand in May 1850 a daughter, Annie, was born. Crimea Campaigns 1854 - 1856.On the night of September 6th, 1855 during the siege of Sevastopol, JamesCRAIG and a young drummer heroically endeavoured to save the life of asupposedly wounded officer. Captain BUCKLEY (Scots Fusilier Guards) was infact mortally wounded before he could be reached but they brought the bodyback to the lines.
At the Battle of Inkerman, James was severely wounded through both legs by gunshot. For his performance of duty, he was awarded the Victoria Cross by the War Office on November 18th 1857 ...promulgated in the London Gazette dated November 20th 1857. Queen Victoria presented the medal at Windsor Castle on November 21st 1857.
The VC was soldat Christie's London, on January 25th 1956 for £480 and is now deposited at the Scots Guards Regimental HQ Museum. In January 1856, James CRAIG was appointed Cornet and Adjutant in the Land Transport Corps. In January 1858 he was promoted to Lieutenant and onFebruary 12 1858 was transferred to the 10th Regiment of Foot (NorthLincolnshire).The 10th Regiment embarked at Kingstown (Dublin) Ireland on December 8th1859, and sailed on December 11 in HM Troopship "Vulcan", under the commandof the regimental Lt-Col., BYRNE.
The ship arrived at Simons Bay February10th 1860, and continued to Algoa Bay arriving on February 21st 1860, when the contingent of 14 Officers and 274 Other Ranks (and families) proceeded onto the Head Quarters at Grahamstown. Meanwhile, from Queenstown (Cork) Ireland, a further 22 Officers and 538 Other Ranks (and families) embarkedon January 11th 1860, and sailed the next day in HM ship "Urgent", undercommand of the regimental Colonel FENWICK, and arrived at Algoa Bay on March10th 1860, when the detachment reached Grahamstown on March 23rd 1860. The HQ of the Regiment was transferred to Keiskammahoek, on April 8th. 1862.
It is not known in which transport vessel Lieutenant James CRAIG came to South Africa, but it is significant to note he was married at St. Andrew Presbyterian (Scottish) Church, Cape Town on February 15th 1861, as a widower, to Harriet Mary ROWLEY (spinster). His bride being the eldest daughter of the late Captain ROWLEY, RN ... she had arrived atTable Bay in the passenger vessel "Dane", that had sailed from Southamptonon January 6th, 1861.Lieutenant Craig had in fact arrived from East London in the coaster, "Sir George Grey" at Table Bay on January 16th, 1861 - indicative they were known to each other in the UK prior to the Regiment's departure from Ireland inlate 1859.
After the wedding, the couple sailed again in the coaster "Sir George Grey"leaving Table Bay on March 2nd, and arrived at Algoa Bay on March 8th, 1861.10 days later were en-route by wagon to Grahamstown.
As they were about to cross the Papenkuils River at the Creek, CRAIG, in an apparent fit of temporary insanity, leapt off the wagon and committed suicide by cutting his own throat. It has been said that he lingered for some days before dying. In Memory of Lieut. & Adjut. J. CRAIG 2nd 10th FootWho died on the 18th March 1861 aged 37 years. He served in the Crimea and for his Gallentry received the Victoria CrossThe stone is erected by his brother Officers. James CRAIG's tombstone is in St Mary's Cemetery, Port Elizabeth. The stone was restored in the 1950's by the ladies of the B.E.C.E.S.L. but is now deteriorating quite rapidly. The Victoria Cross is a bronze Maltese Cross worn on the left breast (but onthe right side of all other medals), and was made from the metal of two Russian guns captured at Sebastopol in the Crimea, until 1942 when the stocks of metal ran out. It is now supplied by private contract.
Unlike other medals the VC is not struck at the mint but is made by a private firm of jewellers, Messrs, Hancock in London, the firm which originally fashioned the Cross.
A scroll with the words "For Valour" is surmounted by the Royal Crest. AV-shaped link connects the medal to the bar or clasp which is ornamented with sprays of laurel. On the back of the clasp appears the name of the recipient, and on the reverse side of the Cross the date of the act of bravery.
Ref: For Valour by Ian S. Uys.
Source:GSSA - East Cape BranchNewsletter No. 62, August 2002.
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