In memory of:

Lieutenant William Benson Craig

September 26, 1918

Military Service

Age: 22

Force: Air Force

Unit: Royal Air Force

Division: 204th Squadron

Citation(s): Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Citation, London Gazette, November 2, 1918: Whilst acting temporarily as flight leader one day last month, he personally destroyed three enemy machines, and the remainder of his flight accounted for three more. Lieutenant Craig has been engaged in numerous air battles, and always displays fine spirit, ability and determination in carrying out his duties. He has personally brought down two enemy machines completely out of control, in addition to those referred to above.

Born: August 2, 1896 Smiths Falls, Ontario

Enlistment: May 21, 1917 Smiths Falls, Ontario

Son of Richard and Elizabeth Craig, of Smiths Falls, Ontario. He was single and worked as a clerk.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

William Benson Craig, Lieutenant, 73rd Battery CFA, 204 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service

Personal Information: William Benson Craig was born in Smiths Falls, Ontario on August 2, 1895. He attended the public schools of Smiths Falls and in 1915 received his teaching certificate. Afterwards he taught in Drummond township. He was 5 feet 4 inches and 125 pounds with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion. In 1916 Craig tried to enlist in the Air Force but there was no opening so he enlisted on May 21, 1917 with the Canadian Field Artillery and trained in Petawawa for the summer. He had an identification mark, a scar on his third finger, right hand. He transferred on October 6, 1917 from the Field artillery to the Royal Naval Air Force on May 26, 1918. He joined up with squadron 204. He was a Sopwith Camel pilot.

Military Movements: In May 1918 Lieutenant Craig went to Air Force Headquarters in France. He participated in many air raids including Zeebrugge and evidently had several narrow escapes.

In September 1918 he went on leave in England and spend his R & R with his brother Allan. On September 10, 1918 he returned to the front and was embroiled in days of fierce fighting conducting three sorties a day. whilst acting temporarily as flight leader one day in September, he personally destroyed three enemy airplanes, and the remainder of his fighting crew accounted for three more enemy shot down.

"Lieutenant Craig has been engaged in numerous air battles, and always displays fine spirit, ability and determination in carrying out his duties. He has personally brought down two enemy machines completely out of control, in addition to those referred to above." (DFC citation, London Gazette, 2 November 1918).

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. he was flight leader when he finally went down after a hard-fought battle on September 26, 1918 in Belgium. His commmanding officer noted that the last they saw of Lieutenant Craig was that he was flying low following a German plane.

Medical records: From what I found with my research is that I found no traces of William Benson Craig's medical records. His records would simply indicate that he died when his plane made contact with the surface.

The Final Days: William and the Squadron 204 dove into action in Belgium on September 26, 1918. He led his squadron into battle only to be shot down out of the sky by an enemy plane. The Allies suffered heavy casualties at the battle but came out victorious. There always has to be that sorrow when it came time to say goodbye. He is now buried in Blankenberghe town cemetery.

Lest We Forget: William Benson Craig was 22 when he died. His valiant efforts and true bravery in the face of danger puts him in the heart of our nation as a hero. He was a plain ordinary man who taught school children. He loved his parents Elizabeth and Richard Craig and he was happy. He was shipped out to fight an enemy that seemed impossible to tame.

Wiliam was probably scared but he did what he did for his country and his love for this great nation. William's body died that one tragic day on September 26, 1918. But his spirit will live on in all who will remember.

Yes, this man was an ordinary man but what we will remember him as is a hero.

Biography courtesy of the Lest We Forget remembrance initiative of the Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute. By Ben Haskins and Ashley Saunders.