James Fraser CRAIK DFC (1913 -1945)
Flight Lieutenant James Craik (DFC) was a pupil at Hillhead High School from 1918-1930 and was awarded his cricket cap in 1930.
After school he qualified first as a Pharmacist and then later as an Optician and he was practicing these professions at the outbreak of the Second World War.
He at once volunteered, and became a gunner in a light anti-aircraft unit in 1940.
In 1941 he transferred to the RAF Volunteer Reserve and rose to the rank of Flight-Lieutenant in 635 Squadron. As a pilot he was one of the first to fly in action wearing contact lenses.
Flight-Lieutenant Craik completed two tours in Lancaster bombers of the Pathfinder Force. In 1944 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and later the Badge of the Pathfinder Force.
On 14th February 1945 following a successful raid on Chemnitz as part of ‘Operation Thunderclap’ (his 77th operational flight over Europe) his aircraft was shot down near the town of Gefell in Saxony. His body is buried in the Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery.
In his memory, in 1946, the Craik family presented Hillhead Cricket Club with the Craik Cups. These Cups are awarded in his honour and memory to the Player and Young Player of the Year at the Hillhead Cricket Club Annual Dinner. The event has been an ever present fixture in the Hillhead Cricket Club calendar since 1946.
