Horace Cragg was born on Walney Island, Barrow in Furness, Lancashire in 1893, the son of Fred Herbert and his Margaret Cragg (née Thompson). At the time of the 1911 Census, Horace was listed as an Apprentice Marine Fitter lodging with his uncle, Albert Thompson, at The Cottage, Abbey Road, Barrow in Furness. Horace was married to Sarah Florence Cragg (née Macklin) in Ulverston in July 1918. In 1921 Horace and his wife were living at 23, Oubas Hill, Ulverston with his widowed mother-in-law Margaret.

Horace Cragg was on board HMS THETIS when it sank in Liverpool Bay on 1 June 1939 and his date of death was listed as 3 June 1939. He was an Engineering Draughtsman, employee of Vickers Armstrong Shipbuilders, at the time of his death in HMS THETIS. The Lancashire Evening Post of 29 September 1939 reported that his body had been recovered from the submarine, and he was buried privately in the Ulverston Cemetery on 2 October 1939 as follows:

The remains of Mr Horace Thompson Cragg (46) draughtsman were interned at Ulverston Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. The Rector of Ulverston, the Rev. J. S. Rimmer conducted the service. In addition to the widow and family mourners, there were representatives of interests in Ulverston with which Mr. Cragg had been associated. Vickers-Armstrong’s were represented by Mr. W. Johnson, Mr. Marsh, Mr. W. F. Rabbidge, Mr. Lancaster, Mr. J. C. Punk, Commander A. S. Cumming, Commander T. Parkinson, and others. There were numerous wreaths.