Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, pp 100-101:

Cramaille, Theophil Maglorius, M.S., French, Visitor
Tribute from Brother Bernard Delaney M.S.C.
(This contribution from Brother Delaney of Kensington, NSW., is most welcome).
Theophil Maglorious Cramaille was born on 18 October 1844 in Villeneuve-la Grande. His father was a peasant, an upright and honest man. His early death made it difficult for his mother to train her son; so after his first Communion she sent him to a farmer to be educated in working the land. The circumstances surrounding his work were such that he neglected completely his religious duties. When he was 19 years of age, a great change came over his life. It happened this way: One day he saw one of the sheep chewing a piece of paper. He snatched it away and read it. It was a page from a catechism and the subject matter concerned the grace of God. The perusal made him think, and with God's grace he returned to his prayer and the Sacraments. He tried to convert his companions, but with little success. He began to read and study in his leisure time with the purpose of becoming a teacher and religious instructor. When he had sufficient preparation he began an evening school in the local village. The people responded to his instruction and attended regularly. However, in France, such a school was illicit, and so was closed by Government authority. In his zeal he was by no means discouraged, and soon found another opportunity for teaching. He found a senior experienced teacher in the neighbourhood who accepted Theophil as an assistant. For two years the enthusiastic apostle gave all time possible to the instruction of the young and the adults. One day a devout lady gave him a picture of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Through that picture he learned about the M.S.C.s at Issoudun. He found they were going to establish a school for young seminarians. He applied for admission and was readily accepted, arriving at Issoudun in his working clothes. When asked what was the biggest sacrifice in coming, he replied that the parting with his dog "Turro" caused him the most pain.

Theophil at this time was 25 years of age. From the start he gave himself wholeheartedly to his studies. His skill in manual work as well as intellectual ability caused his superiors to appoint him as manager of the school. His recreation was marching and fishing. After four years (1867-1871) he became a novice and made his profession as an M.S.C. on 4 September 1871. After profession he resumed his studies at Chezal-Benoit and did some teaching as well. After ordination on 10 June 1875 he taught for another 3 years. On hearing from a confrere that he was tempted against his vocation, Theophil tried to help him by prayer, advice, and even offering his life to God to save his confrere 's vocation.

In 1881 Pope Leo XIII handed over Melanesia and Micronesia to the Sacred Heart Fathers. Theophil saw here a sign of God's will for himself, and so was chosen as one of the first group of M.S.C.s to set out for New Guinea. He sailed from Barcelona on 1 September 1881, together with Frs Joseph Durin and Louis-Andre Navarre and Brothers Durin and Fromm. The journey was expected to take three months but finished up as an odyssey of thirteen. The 'Barcelona' took them to Singapore and Manila where they were to tranship to the 'Nouvelle Bretagne', belonging to the Marquis de Rays; but the Marquis was in trouble at home with his grandiose schemes. So his creditors claimed and sold the 'Nouvelle Bretagne'. Stranded, but befriended by the Augustinians, they stayed for a while in Manila and then went to Singapore in the hope of being able to board a ship bound for New Guinea ...... Their efforts were unsuccessful. They were advised to go to the Dutch East Indies where there was supposed to be a shipping service to New Guinea. They were again stranded for six months until they boarded a Dutch mail boat, the 'Sophia', which landed them back at Singapore for the third time. From Singapore they took ship on the 'Meath' bound for Cooktown, via Port Darwin. They arrived at Cooktown on 19 July 1882. There was another month's wait at Cooktown for a ship until eventually they were forced to go to Sydney, where they were the guests of Father Joly and the Marist Fathers at Hunters Hill. After a fortnight in Sydney they boarded the 'Chandernagor' on 26 August 1882. Unfavourable winds and bad weather took them towards New Zealand, but they eventually arrived at Matupit, New Britain, on 2 September 1882, being the first M.S.C.s to go there.

Father Cramaille founded the mission station at Vlavolo in 1884 and worked on that mission for twelve years. All told he was 15 years in that difficult country when his health failed. He was sent home to regain his health, but he never reached his beloved homeland. He died aboard ship in the Red Sea on 22 September 1896.
(Footprints, Vol. 3, No. 1)
Ref.: MDHC File, Torquay, per Brother B. Delaney MSC.