Mr John Craig was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland on 1 March 1883.

A small man, standing at 5’ 3½”, Craig joined the Royal Navy as a stoker on 1 May 1901, his first ship being the Vivid II. He worked aboard a number of ships before being discharged on account of ill health in December 1907.

He joined the Royal Naval Reserves in September 1910 and served aboard the Devonport. 

Craig’s ship prior to Titanic had been the Musgrave. He joined Titanic at Belfast for the delivery trip to Southampton where he disembarked.

With war looming, John Craig rejoined the Royal Navy in July 1914 and remained active until April 1919.