Major (Medical) Robert Theodore Gilpin Craig 1911 - 1986

 

Robert Theodore Gilpin Craig was born in Houghton le spring, Co Durham and was the son of Theodore Craig and the former Rachel E Griffin. He qualified in Medicine from Durham University, King's College, Newcastle. He joined his father, Theodore immediately, in General Practice. He married Jessie McKinstry on the 2nd September 1939 and they had to cancel their booked honeymoon in Paris, the next day, because of the outbreak of World war 2. Instead they went fishing in Paterdale.

The practice covered the pit villages of Dudley, Burradon, Annitsford and later absorbed the new village of Fordley. Dr Robert T G Craig signed up to join the Army but his application was rejected as he held a designated reserve occupation, namely the medical care of the pitmen and their families as well as giving cover for pit accidents. He had to go down the mines twice to retrieve casualties. Because he was blocked from regular RAMC service he joined the local Home Guard and served as Medical Officer, 15th Battalion (Forest Hall) Northumberland Home Guard. He did medicals for recruits and reassessments after illness or injury and First Aid lecturing for the Home Guard and the NCB. He judged the regional First Aid competitions in the late 1940s and at Hartford Hall, later the NCB HQ

Immediately the TA was reformed after the War, in 1948, Dr Craig signed on and two years later was the Second in Command of 149 Field Ambulance. He became Regimental Medical Officer to 324 Heavy Ack Ack Regiment in Gosforth until 1955 when he transferred to 272 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment Royal Artillery TA until it was amalgamated with the TA changes of 1967. 

 

Information Kindly supplied by Dr P Craig

If you have any information on R T G Craig or anyone who served in the Northumberland Home Guard, Newcastle Battalions please contact ph@ccoynblhomeguard.co.uk