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PRIVATE WILLIAM E. CRAIG was an orphan, and was raised by his foster mother, Mrs. Hattie Fisher, of 1321 Broadway, Camden NJ. He was a member of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, New Jersey National Guard, and went away with that regiment on July 25, 1917 to Camp Edge at Sea Girt NJ. From their he was sent to Camp McClellan at Anniston AL, and then on to France. Once overseas he was transferred to the 7th Field Artillery Regiment. During the Battle of Chateau-Thierry Private Craig was participating in the the defense of his position during which he shot four Germans to death with his pistol. During the gunfight, two of his horses were shot, and as the animals stumbled, Craig grabbed their reins to save them but in the process he had accidentally knocked his gas mask loose. The Germans had sent over a gas attack, and Private Craig was badly affected. Private Craig was treated in a number of hospitals in France and finally was brought home to the United States. He had, however, contracted tuberculosis, which led to his death on April 11, 1919 at the Government Hospital at Camp Ottawan, Buncome County NC. He was 24 years old. William Craig was survived by his foster mother, of the 1321 Broadway address. Mrs. Fisher was still at that address at the time of the January 1920 census. |
