William Carr Airey was born 14th December 1890, at White Kirkley, Frosterley, Wolsingham, to Samuel Airey, [born 1865 Frosterley, died September 1924, age 59], a Limestone Quarryman, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Airey, [born 1870, Stanhope], they had seven children with William being the eldest.

The other children were Florence C. born 1892, John, born 1894, Thomas, born 1893 and Edward, born 1898. Edward served in WW1, in the Yorks and Lancaster Regiment, died 10th May 1918. Margaret, born 1903, and Agnes, born 1910.

In 1901, they were all residing at the same address. By 1911, William was a College Student residing with his Grandfather, William Airey, then aged 87, a retired Limestone Quarryman, [born Kendal in 1924]. Also in the same household was William Airey's son Thomas Airey, [born 1863, Frosterley], also a Limestone Quarryman.

Before 1914, William taught at the Chester-le-Street Church School in Co-operative Street, known as the Victoria School.

William Carr Airey was in 'C' Company, of the (Old ‘F’ & ‘G’ Company), 2/1 Northern Cyclist Battalion. He enlisted on the 9th January 1915. [the Record states September 1915]. His service number was 365596. The Cyclist Company Drill Hall was based at the Good Templar Hall in Chester-le-Street, located at Middle Chare. [The building is now demolished].

2/1st Northern Cyclist Battalion. The 2nd Line battalion was formed in late 1914 and also remained in England throughout the war. In 1916 it was at Skegness and in June 1918 it was at Burton Constable as part of the Humber Garrison where it remained. The battalion was disbanded on the 17th April 1919.
On the 4th July 1915, the battalion provided personnel for the 10th Provisional Cyclist Company at Chapel St Leonards.

William was promoted to Acting Sergeant from Corporal. He was transferred into the 23rd Battalion [4th Battalion Tyneside Scottish], Northumberland Fusiliers, then part of the 35th Division, and then was transferred to the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

William was sent abroad on the 12th April 1918.

By this time he was residing at 1 Nelson Street, Chester-le-Street, Durham.

He was wounded on the 25th August 1918, and was discharged on the 1st January 1919.

William continued teaching in Chester-le-Street, at the Victoria School.

In 1939, he was living at 57 Bullion Lane, Chester-le-Street, with his second wife Amy, [born 28th November 1889], his previous wife had died some years earlier.

William was also a Voluntary ARP Warden in World War 2.

William died in December 1969.

William Carr Airey is remembered in Teachers who Served, and in C105.35. A brief resume of his service is given in Northern Cyclist Battalion 'C' Company Memoir.

Chester-le-Street Heritage Group