Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Carr was born 1885 in Craghead, County Durham, one of 2 surviving children, 1 boy and 1 girl (2 deceased) born to Joseph Carr 1855 Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland and his wife Elizabeth Askew 1856 West Allendale, Northumberland. During the late 1850s Joseph’s parents moved to Kyo and then on to Tanfield, after his marriage to Elizabeth in Lanchester, June 1881, they settled in Craghead and he worked as a hewer. By 1911 they were living at 7, John Street, Thomas now 26 was working at the colliery as a stone man.
Thomas enlisted in Newcastle upon Tyne, November 23rd 1914 and was assigned as Private 1405 Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish), 26th Battalion. The 26th N.F. in June 1915 came under the orders of the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. The Division was mobilised and departed from Folkestone landing at Boulogne January 10th 1916. They had their first taste of battle one month later in the Bois Grenier sector. May 4th 1916 they entrained at St. Omer for Amiens and from there were marched to the front lines of the Somme. The 26th Battalion was to the right of La Boiselle leading the start of their trench raids in June 1916. The Battle of the Somme started July 1st 1916, the 26th Battalion N. F. was next to Becourt Wood where they faced the German 56 Reserve Infantry Brigade. That day they lost 8 officers killed, 11 wounded and 148 other ranks killed and 322 wounded.
Private 1405 Thomas Carr Northumberland Fusiliers was one of those 148 men. Killed in action July 1st 1916 his sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France, Pier and Face 10/11/12 B. He was 31 years old and single.
His family received a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Carr is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04