Cragg, William Gilliat – worked in the Nigerian Political Service

William Gilliat Cragg (1883-1956)

The son of Capt William Alfred Cragg JP, FSA, of Threekingham House, Threekingham, and his wife, Adelaide Alexandra nee Gilliat, of Barham, East Hoathley, Sussex, following schooling at Shrewsbury, Cragg trained at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

He was commissioned into the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and served in World War I in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia, commanding the 6th Battalion of his regiment in 1917, before taking command of the 38th Infantry Brigade.

After the war, he commanded the London District Discharge Centre (July 1919–June 1920).

He then retired, and worked in the Political Service in Nigeria.

William Cragg married twice: firstly, in 1909, to Violet Emily, daughter of Leonard Wodehouse Andrews, of Tunbridge Wells who died in 1934.

The  following year, he married Beryl Winifred Reynolds, of Ascot,[1] daughter of H. H. Reynolds.

After retiring from the Nigeria Political Service in 1932, Cragg entered local politics in Lincolnshire.

He was a member of Kesteven County Council from 1932 to 1952, and served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire from 1933 to 1934.

Cragg received the Distinguished Service Order during World War I and later became a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He died in London, aged 73.