Born in 1881, John Craske was a third generation fisherman and had his own fish shop by the time he was called up to fight in the First World War. Not long after being posted overseas, Craske was discharged from the army having suffered a mental breakdown. In the following years, he found solace in painting and embroidery.
Sadly, Craske's health deteriorated further and life became more difficult for him and his wife, Alice. Now confined mostly to his bed, Craske worked from his own vocabulary of stitches and the embroideries were of the coast he had loved his life long.
