James Augustus (Gus) Croger was born in Islington, London (then a working class suburb), and migrated to Australia in 1912 with his older brother, Richard Albert Croger. He began playing soccer with the Sturt club that year and was captain by 1914. Gus and his brother Richard were soon noted as prominent players, the two brothers forming a left wing club partnership with Gus said to be fast and skillful.
With his occupation listed as “clerk”, he joined the AIF as early as October 1914, and was wounded by a “bomb” early in the fighting at Gallipoli. Transferring to the 48th Battalion in France he was promoted to Sergeant by mid 1917 when he was wounded again, this time shot in the face. Another brother, Reginald Earl Croger, British Army, was killed in action in France.
Back in Adelaide by 1919 he resumed his playing career with Sturt, playing with them in three cup finals – each time on the losing side. He played for “England” in the annual England vs Scotland matches and played three times for the state team. He scored for a state selection against HMS Renown in an unofficial match. He played on until 1927 and served on the SASFA committee from 1937 to 1940. Gus Croger died in Adelaide in 1982.