William John Craig

 William John Craig passed away on the Ides of March in 1919 due to illness. What additional information is available about William?

William John Craig was born in 1894, in Swansea, he was the son of Francis Septimus Craig and Margaret Evans.  They were married in 1882, in Llanelly.

Apprentice Indentured in the Marchant Navy

Francis Septimus served as a Apprentice with the Merchant Navy for three years. 

William was their eldest child. Thomas Henry, born in 1886, died in 1973, and Annie Errington was born and died in 1892.

Margaret herself died in 1892

Francis married for the second time to Hannah Davies in 1893, in Llandyfaelog, Carmarthenshire.

Francis Septimus Craig and Hannah Davies
marriage certificate
 Llandyfaelog, Carmarthenshire

Francis had five additional children with Hannah: Ann Evangelista Errington (1894–1977); Francis Henry Leopold (1896–1966); May Frost, who was born and passed away in 1902; Leila Alberta (1903–1904); and Adelina May, who was born and passed away in 1907.

What was William's residence during the various census records?

The 1891 Census record the Craig family were residing at 118 Gorse Road Tunnel Cottage.

1891 Census

Francis, aged 33, worked as a Timekeeper. His birthplace is recorded as Newcastle on Tyne, while Margaret, aged 30, has her birthplace recorded as Llanelly.  Their children are

William J., aged 6, and Thos Hy., aged 4, who both attend school.

According to the 1901 Census, the Craig family continues to reside in Tunnel Cottage.

1901 Census

Francis, aged 43 is employed as Tin worker Contractor, while Anna, aged 33, has her birthplace recorded as Kidwelly.  Their children are

William, aged 16, works as a Railway Shunter. Thomas H., also aged 16, works as an Apprentice Fitter. Evanlielista is 6 years old, and Francis is 4 years old.

Also listed is relative Harry Davies, aged 26, employed as a tailor, with his birthplace recorded as Kidwelly.

The 1911 Census, William John is recorded as residing as a boarder at Tunnel Cottage Gorse Road Cwmbwrla Nr Swansea.

1911 Census

Mary John, the head of the household is aged 70, widowed, her occupation is Housekeeper.  Her place of birth is recorded as Llanelly.

Her two sons are Albert, aged 43, who is employed as a Fireman Electrician and is widowed like his mother, with Kidwelly being his place of birth. Thomas, aged 31, is employed as a Fitter Labourer and is married, with Llanelly recorded as his place of birth.

Present boarders include Violet Williams, aged 9, whose place of birth is recorded as Swansea, and William, aged 26, who is employed as a locomotive driver.

William John, married in 1905 at St. Peters church, he married Nellie Norman.

William John Craig and Nellie Norman
marriage certificate
St. Peters church

At the time of the 1911 Census, Nellie was recorded as a boarder residing at 281 Carmarthen Road, Swansea.

1911 Census

Charles Hopkins, aged 24, is employed as a Shunter, while Katie, is aged 19. 

Nellie, aged 23, and her son, Frank, aged 3 are boarders.

William John Craig
Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece
credit - findagrave

Wiliam who was ranked as a Private served with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.  Following his death in March 1919, William, was buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece

At the time of the 1921 Census, Ellen Jane Davies, is residing at 19 Carmarthen Road.

1921 Census

Ellen had remarried that year to Thomas E. Davies.

Thomas, aged 35, is employed as a Collier Hewer. His place of birth is recorded as the United States of America.  Ellen aged 35, her occupation is recorded as Household Duties.

Frank Craig, aged 15, is employed as a labourer. Thomas Graham Davies is aged 2.