Dates:
War Service:
Lieutenant JAMES CRAFTER MC of 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was reported missing in action on 7 July 1917. It was later confirmed that he had been killed. He went to France with the 1st Battalion of the London Scottish in September, 1914, and eventually attained the rank of sergeant in the machine-gun section. He was gazetted to the London Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross. Later he was attached for a short time to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps before becoming a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. His brother Tom was killed in November 1914 while serving with the London Scottish.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.
Location of Memorial:
He is remembered on the war memorial at St Hilda’s church, Brockley and also on the 20th London Regiment Roll of Honour.
Details:
He was 23 years of age, the son of Mr. Tom Crafter, the veteran athlete and president of the Blackheath Harriers, of 96, Stondon Park, Forest Hill. He was the hon. secretary of the Blackheath Lacrosse Club and a member of the Blackheath Harriers, and had represented " Insurance " in the annual Banks, Insurance, and Stock Exchange race walking match on several occasions. He was also a keen cricketer, swimmer, and water polo player. His brother Tom was killed on 7 July 1917 while flying with 20 Squadron, RFC.
Source:
Flight archive
London Gazette 17 April 1917, 18 June 1917 and 12 October 1917
Contributed By: Andy Pepper
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by Local History and Archives Centre, Lewisham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence