William Craig

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Harrow branch

Died: 20 July 1943

William Walter Craig was born on 19 June 1912, the son of John and Christina Craig. He was educated at Tollington School, Muswell Hill and Kingsbury County School, Edgware Road. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer in the Advance Department at the bank's London head office in January 1930. He was promoted to junior clerk in April 1930 and moved to Notting Hill Gate in March 1932. He was promoted to clerk in April 1932 and moved to Harrow branch in August 1936. Outside work, he was a keen sportsman and represented the bank at rowing and football. He also enjoyed winter sports and during trips to Austria and Switzerland became a proficient skier. 

In July 1940 Craig left the bank to go on war service, joining the Tower Hamlets Battalion, the Rifle Brigade, which later became the 5th Reconnaissance Regiment. Putting his skiing skills to good use, he became a founder member and instructor at the Middle East ski school for British troops, near Tripoli. He was later posted to Sicily. It was there that he went missing during a recce, and was later confirmed to have died on 20 July 1943. Serjeant Craig was 31 years old and left a widow, Evelyn. The chaplain of his regiment later wrote, 'What I am going to say I mean with my heart and soul. He was the most popular and respected man in the regiment. All men knew him, all respected and trusted him. He had friends in all parts of the regiment.'