Distinguished Conduct Medal GVIR (4915352 PTE. A. CRADDOCK. S.LAN.R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed as awarded.
Arthur Craddock was born in Cannock, Staffordshire in 1919. He attested into the Territorial Army at Hednesford on 1 April 1918 as Private with the 5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. He then transferred to the Regular Army joining the South Lancs on 25 August 1938. He was posted to the 1st Bn on 8 February 1939 and then to the 2nd Battalion on 10 July 1939 when he joined them in India.
With the fall of France Craddock arrived home on 17 July 1940 and was embarked for draft service on transport ships from 9 May to 28 July 1941. He was with his battalion during Operation Ironclad, the landings in Vichy-held Madagascar in May 1942. On the 5th he landed in Courrier Bay some 12 miles from the main objective, the Vichy naval base at Diego Suarez. The initial landings proceeded without difficulty, but later that day strong resistance was encountered, and plans were set in motion to storm the enemy position that evening. It was during the aftermath of the night attack and in the advance on the enemy holding Bellevue Fort that Craddock performed the deeds of valour which led to the award of the DCM.
His award was published in the LG 16 June 1942. The Madagascar campaign over, he was posted to India arriving in Bombay on 25 January 1943. He was promoted Lance Corporal on 14 June 1943. He was Killed in Action on active service against the Japanese in Burma on 1 April 1945. He is buried in the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Rangoon.
The citation for the award of Craddock's DCM reads as follows:
"6TH MAY 1942, ANTSIRANE, MADAGASCAR
This man was in No. 17 Platoon, "D" Coy. The company was on the left of the Bn during its flank attack on the morning of 6 May 1942. At about 0600 hrs the Coy was advancing under heavy fire from the enemy in BELLEVUE FORT. No.17 Platoon was suddenly fired at from a small building on the left flank. Private CRADDOCK immediately rushed forward 20 yards across the open under heavy fire, battered down the door of the building and killed the four enemy snipers inside with his rifle and bayonet. By his resolute action he saved many casualties to his comrades and enabled the advance to continue.
The Battalion History added the following: "It became apparent that enemy snipers were using a small house on the left of "C" company's position. These snipers had caused several casualties in both C and D companies, and before any further actions was ordered, Private Craddock jumped up and stormed the house alone under L.M.G. and rifle fire. He succeeded in entering the house from the back and killed all seven of its occupants, shooting three and bayoneting four. the remaining enemy near the house then surrendered and the area was occupied."
The medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with copies of his full service papers and extracts from the History of the South Lancs pertaining to his acts.
