Arthur Harold Cragg
- Family History
- Military History
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He was the son of William, born in 1863 in Old Lenton, Nottingham and worked as a joiner/carpenter. His mother, Emma Cragg, was born in 1846 at Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and worked as a shopkeeper/tobacconist. Arthur Cragg had two sisters, Nellie, born in 1880 and Lilian M., born in 1882. In 1901 the family lived at 47 Wilford Road, Meadows, Nottingham. In 1911 William and Emma Cragg were living at 1 Grammer's Place Mount Street Nottingham. Arthur was the husband of Polly Cragg of 96 Woolmer Road, Meadows, Nottingham.
Arthur Cragg was a Petty Officer Stoker, No. 306414, a Royal Navy regular serving aboard the 'A' Class destroyer HMS Angler in 1911. He also served in H.M.S. "Ardent" which was laid down under the 1911–1912 construction programme by William Denny & Brothers Limited and launched on 8 September 1913. She was temporarily renamed HMS "Kenric" in October 1913, but this was reverted shortly afterwards. She joined the 4th Destroyer Flotilla on completion and served with the Grand Fleet on the outbreak of the Great War. On May 31, 1916 the Battle of Jutland was fought out between the British Grand Fleet and the German fleet. During that night following the main battle the British fleet gave chase as the Germans sought to return to port. Seven destroyers led by H.M.S. "Broke" challenged ships crossing their course. It was followed by blinding searchlights and salvo after salvo of rapid fire. Astern of "Ardent" H.M.S. "Fortune" was being smothered by shells and "Ardent" came to her aid, firing a torpedo at the German battleship "Rheinland." By this time "Ardent" was the only one in the flotilla fit for action. She sailed south until she saw smoke ahead, thinking that it was the rest of here flotilla. It was not. Seeing a German battleship, without hesitation, the captain attacked, firing a torpedo at close range. Unfortunately the battleship caught her in its searchlight and then demolished the gallant destroyer. She sank at 12.09 a.m. and only one man and the ship's chief officer, Lieutenant Commander Marsden, survived. P.O. Stoker Arthur Cragg's body was not recovered and his name was recorded on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
'In memoriam' notice published 31st May 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “CRAGG. – In affectionate remembrance of my dear husband, Arthur Harold Cragg, Petty Officer, who fell in the Jutland Battle on H.M.S. Ardent, May 31st, 1916. – Loving wife. “CRAGG. – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Arthur Cragg, P.O. First Class, of H.M.S. Ardent, lost in Jutland Battle, May 31st, 1916. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away. – From loving wife, father, mother, brothers, and sisters.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 A ship of the same name was sunk on 21 May 21 1982 with the loss of twenty-two men during Operation Corporate ('Falklands War').
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