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Craft, Alfred James

Date of birth:
November 19th, 1919 (West Hyde /Hertfordshire, United Kingdom)
Date of death:
July 14th, 1943 (Sicily, Italy)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery Syracuse
Plot: VI. Row: D. Grave: 3.
Service number:
5950610
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Alfred James Craft was born on October 4th, 1919 in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire as the son of George Henry and Violet Stella Craft.

He was killed in action on July 14th, 1943. At that time he was part of No. 3 commando with the rank of Lance Corporal.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private
Unit:
No. 3 Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1942
Awarded for:
Operation Jubilee
Recommendation:
"These two soldiers batman and runner to the senior officer at Y2 reconnoitered the approach to Berneval Village and guided their party forward from the beach without it being discovered.They set a fine example to the rest of the soldiers by pushing on through the village with great dash, showing a tactical sense, which was most useful in a party not trained to work as a team,and knowing little of infantry work.They exposed themselves most willingly in carrying messages, particulary when the party was sniping the Battery from the cornfields.They were among the last group to leave the beach, covering their officers, whom they guarded most watchfully throughout , as they came down the cliff.They previously did excellent work in the Raid on Vaagso, December 1941 , where the former was wounded."

Both Alfred James Craft and Sidney Charles Clark were recommended for Mention in Despatches but were awarded the Military Medal instead.
Military Medal (MM)

Sources

  • Photo 1: Mike Twinn
  • - Copy of the original recommendation signed bij Brigadier Laycock - Stiwot archive
    - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35729 published on the 2 October 1942
    - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission

Photo