Sergeant

William Nathaniel Clarke (Bill) Craig

Conflict: 
WW2
Additional Information: 

Son of William Craig and of Annie Craig (nee Clarke), of Maungaturoto, Auckland, New Zealand; husband of Margaret Craig, of Palmerston North, Wellington, New Zealand.

References:
  • CWGC
  • Pringle (1957)
  • New Zealand Nominal Rolls (WW2)
  • BDM Online
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

“We were right up with D Coy just in front of a casa. The Jerries opened up on the infantry, who went to ground, and then we saw the ugly snout of the Tiger poke its nose around a corner. We didn't stand a chance. I am not sure but I think there was only one shot fired by the Tiger. Our tank went up in flames straight away.
        
I shall never forget the agony of dragging myself from that burning tank with a busted leg while Jerry used me as a target. As you know, Tprs Burgess, Forde and myself were the only ones who got out of that tank, but Tpr Burgess was killed immediately. Later that night there was a tank moving around the area and I was scared that it would run me over as I wasn't able to move.
        
This happened, according to Peebles's memory, about half past four. The tank commander, Sergeant Bill Craig, and Troopers Burgess and Mann were killed and the other two of the crew wounded. The house where the shooting took place, one of the group which formed the Case Benicelli, was about 600 yards from the Fontanaccia and marked the limit of D Company's advance.” [Pringle (1957)]

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
83215
Name:
William Nathaniel Clarke (Bill) Craig
Rank: 
Sergeant
Date of Birth:
09 October 1915
Place of Birth:
Bulls, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
Next of Kin: 
Mrs M Craig (wife), 140 Grafton Road, Roseneath, Wellington
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Locality on Enlistment: 
c/o Wallace Supplies, Maungaturoto
Place of Enlistment: 
Auckland, New Zealand
Marital Status:
Married
Unit:
New Zealand Armoured Corps, 20 Regiment

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Killed in action
Date of Death:
23 September 1944
Day of Death:
Saturday
Age at Death: 
28
Conflict: 
WW2

Embarkation Details

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery Reference: 
V. E. 10.
Cemetery Location: 
Italy
William Nathaniel Clarke (Bill) Craig
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