Private Richard Cragg
7814 11th Lancashire Fusiliers
Missing in Action 16th July 1916, aged 24
Lived at 3 Healeywood Road
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France

“A Most Plucky Man” ( Burnley News - 5th August 1916 )

Praise for Burnley Soldier Killed by Sniper

Lieut. Wareford, of the 11th Batt., Lancs. Fusiliers, in a letter to Mrs. Cragg, of 2, Marquis Place, Healey Wood, Burnley, states:
“It is with regret that I inform you that your husband, Private Richard Cragg, 7814, Lancs. Fusiliers, has been killed on the field of battle by a German sniper. Private Cragg was appointed a machine gunner a few months ago, and a braver man was never appointed to that duty, as we all were agreed. He was a most plucky man, and seemed not to know what fear was. I enclose three photographs which were in his possession. Please accept sincere condolence on you loss. – Yours very truly, Lieut. Wareford”
Private Cragg enlisted in September, 1914, and was at the time residing at 5, Water Street, Hapton.

A Sniper Behind ( Burnley Express - 9th August 1916 )

Burnley Soldier Never Sees Baby

Mrs Cragg, of 2, Marquis Place, received official intimation on Monday of the death in action on July 16, of her husband, Pte. Richard Cragg, 7814, of the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers. He was a native of Wood Top, and resided for a time after marriage at Marquis Place, then removed to Hapton for convenience, he being a collier at Spa Pit. Since he enlisted in September 1914, Mrs Cragg has come back to Burnley. She is left with two little children - one being a baby four months which the father has not seen.

Pte. Cragg had previously been in hospital with shattered nerves, but was discharge just before the big advance in which he met his death. Mrs Cragg has received the following letter from his officer, Lieut Wareford, of the machine gun section:-

“It is with regret that I inform you that your husband. He had, as you will probably know been a machine gunner for the past three months. I asked his company commander for a brave man for this work, and he recommended your husband. It has been hard and dangerous work at ------------ and here, but he had shown himself to be a plucky man, and one who did not know what fear was. He was killed after having helped to take a trench in the great advance, as he was caught from behind by a German sniper. He was hit in the head and died at once. In his own company he was very popular, and all feel we have lost a good gunner and a brave man."

The lieutenant encloses three picture postcards found on Pte. Cragg's body.