South African War Graves Project -

Son of Alexander Craighead Cruickshanks and Agnes Cruickshanks; husband of Phyllis (Billie) Cruickshanks, of Durban, Natal, South Africa. Educated at Grey High School, in Port Elizabeth, where he excelled at both cricket (fulfilling his role in the First XI, as one of the opening batsmen, as well as a wicketkeeper), and football. He later worked for Shell South Africa, leaving for England in 1933 in order to join the Royal Air Force (RAF). Following his training in Egypt he joined No 14 Squadron, RAF, in Transjordan, where he was to display his ability as a pilot, and was also to impress his contempories with his resourcefulness. He later qualified as an instructor in England in 1938. Was an Eastern Province and South African cricketer. A left-handed batsman and occasional wicket-keeper, he played first-class cricket for Eastern Province and also represented the Egypt national cricket team in five matches in the mid-1930s.

Age:	28
Date of Birth:	1913-03-02
Service No:	34191
Rank:	Wing Commander
Unit:	214 Sqdn.
Regiment:	Royal Air Force
Date of Death:	1941-09-08
Cause of Death:	Killed in action, Wellington R1784 BU, during a bombing mission on Berlin, lost over Germany

Grave Reference:	4. A. 1.
Cemetery:	BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY

Localitly:	Berlin, Berlin
Country:	Germany

Decorations:	D F C
Citations:	LG Sup 28 July 1942 pg. 3303
Son of Alexander Craighead Cruickshanks and Agnes Cruickshanks; husband of Phyllis (Billie) Cruickshanks, of Durban, Natal, South Africa. Educated at Grey High School, in Port Elizabeth, where he excelled at both cricket (fulfilling his role in the First XI, as one of the opening batsmen, as well as a wicketkeeper), and football. He later worked for Shell South Africa, leaving for England in 1933 in order to join the Royal Air Force (RAF). Following his training in Egypt he joined No 14 Squadron, RAF, in Transjordan, where he was to display his ability as a pilot, and was also to impress his contempories with his resourcefulness. He later qualified as an instructor in England in 1938. Was an Eastern Province and South African cricketer. A left-handed batsman and occasional wicket-keeper, he played first-class cricket for Eastern Province and also represented the Egypt national cricket team in five matches in the mid-1930s.