Personal info
- Name: John Manson CRAIG
- D.O.B: 5th Mar, 1896
- D.O.A: 5th Jun, 1917
- D.O.D: 19th Feb, 1970
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Second Lieutenant, 1/5th Battalion The Royal Scots Fusiliers
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Near Gaza, Palestine 5 June 1917
5 June 1917
The First World War 1917
Throughout the early part of 1917 British forces had been moving across the border between Egypt and Turkish Palestine. Their first attack on the Turkish garrison at Gaza on 26 March 1917 was a failure as was a second attack on 19 April. The town was not to fall until November. On 5 June an advanced post of 1/5th Battalion The Royal Scots Fusiliers, south-west of Gaza and west of the road from Gaza to Deir-el-Belah and Rafah, had been overrun by the Turks. Second Lieutenant J M Craig undertook a rescue mission.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery on the occasion of an advanced post being rushed by a large party of the enemy. This officer immediately organised a rescue party, and the enemy was tracked over broken country back to his trenches. 2nd Lt. Craig then set his party to work removing the dead and wounded. During the course of this operation his men came under heavy rifle and machine gun fire. An N.C.O. was wounded, and the Medical Officer who went out to his aid was also severely wounded. 2nd Lt. Craig at once went to their assistance and succeeded in taking the N.C.O. under cover. He then returned for the Medical Officer, and whilst taking him to shelter was himself wounded. Nevertheless, by great persevereance, he succeeded in rescuing him also. As the enemy continued a heavy fire and in addition turned on shrapnel and high explosives, 2nd Lt. Craig scooped cover for the wounded and thus was the means of saving their lives. These latter acts of bravery occurred in broad daylight, under full observation of the enemy and within close range. On three previous occasions this officer has behaved in a conspicuously brave manner, and has shown an exceptional example of courage and resource.
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