Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Carmichael Jnr was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1897, one of six children, of whom only 5 survived, 2 sons and 3 daughters. His father James Carmichael Snr. a coal miner was born in 1869, his wife Sarah Elizabeth Dixon, whom he married at Gateshead in 1895, was born in 1873, both were natives of Felling. They lived at Ridley Street, in 1901 at number 17 later in 1911 at number 7. Aged only 14 years James Jnr was employed at the colliery as a screener, working 12 hour shifts for 2 shillings 6 pence a day.
James Carmichael enlisted, exact date unknown joining the Grenadier Guards as Guardsman 31273. He departed to France in 1916, the main body of men from the regiment had been drafted in 1914, he joined them in the field participating at the Battle of Flers-Coucelette and Morval. In 1917 during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line they again saw action at the Battle of Pilkem, Menin Road, Poelkapelle , the First Battle of Passchendaele and at Cambrai. 1918 they saw action during the Battle of St Quentin, Battle of Bapaume, the First Battle of Arras 1918, the Battle of Albert, the Second Battle of Bapaume, at Havrincourt and the Battle of the Canal du Nord.
Guardsman 31273 James Carmichael Grenadier Guards was killed in action October 7th 1918 and is interred, grave 10 of only 10 WW1 servicemen buried at Demicourt Communal Cemetery, Dept. du Nord, France. He was 21 years old.
His mother as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 21 Ridley Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. Sarah Elizabeth Carr also commissioned at the cost of 9 shillings 7 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military Headstone, it reads, “Never Till Life Ends Shall We Forget Him”.
James Carmichael Snr died in 1921 aged 52 years, Sarah Elizabeth Carmichael nee Dixon aged 53 years died in 1926, both registered in the district of Gateshead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Carmichael is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
