Duhallow Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Duhallow Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Born Hartlepool. Husband of Margaret Carroll, of 17, Pimlico St., West Hartlepool.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Frank Carroll, one of 4 known children, was the 3rd born of 4 sons. His parents Edward Carroll and Elizabeth Dailey were both born in 1856 at Hartlepool, County Durham, where they were married in 1877. Son John Edward was born December 27th 1875, two years prior to their marriage, if indeed Elizabeth was his birth mother, William, December 31st 1879 and Frank in 1881 whilst they were living at 25, Ropery Lane, Hartlepool, where Edward was employed as a puddler at the iron works supporting not only his family but sister-in-law Sarah Dailey listed as a general servant. James Carroll was born in 1885 and by 1891 Edward had changed his occupation and was now a labourer-ballast crane as was son John Edwards (15), William, Frank and James were scholars, they had now taken in another of Elizabeth’s family, her brother William Dailey (25) also a labourer-ballast crane.
At the age of 19, Frank, registered in the census as Francis, was living as one of four boarders in the home of widow Mary Higgins at 9, Norton Place, Thornaby, near Stockton-on-Tees, employed as a ship yard labourer.
Frank was married at St. Joseph’s West Hartlepool, December 20th 1905 to local girl Margaret McGuinness born 1883 and with whom by 1911 he had 3 children, Edward born April 26th 1906, Anne, March 26th 1908 and Margaret, January 7th 1910. In 1911 he was employed as a dock labourer, an ore discharging worker, living with his wife and children in 1 room at 8, Pimlico Street, West Hartlepool, County Durham. Their youngest child Peter was born February 1st 1912 unfortunately Frank’s mother Elizabeth Carroll nee Dailey died during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1912 aged 55 years.
After the declaration of war he enlisted in September 1914 at West Hartlepool stating he had been part of the Durham Militia and was assigned as Private 9543 Durham Light Infantry, joining the 4th Battalion, September 4th 1914, at Newcastle then posted to Wallsend as part of the Tyne Defences and also trained for service overseas.
Having been posted to the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry of the Regular Army, Private Carroll departed for the front, January 4th 1915, joining his battalion in the field. As part of the 6th Division the battalion fought on the Aisne, at Armentieres and on the Ypres salient. He was injured in the head, May 25th 1915 and hospitalised. His wife wrote the following letter, received by the Records Office, York, June 8th 1915, it reads, “Sir, have you received any further news of Pte Frank Carroll 9543 A Coy 2nd D.L.I. can you let me know if he is still in Hospital as I have received a notice from this office to say he was in Hospital suffering from an injury to the head will you please let me know if you can when it has happened. Please oblige yours as soon as you can, Mrs Carroll.”
Fully recovered Frank returned to duty participating with his regiment at the Battle of Hooge where at 2.45a.m. on August 9th 1915 the barrage by the British Artillery began and once ended the 2nd Battalion which lay in wait at Sanctuary Wood began to attack at 3.15 a.m. The losses of wounded, killed and missing were extensive, that night when the order to fall back was given fewer than 170 men and 3 officers returned to Sanctuary Wood.
Private Carroll survived this onslaught and remained on the salient with his regiment, during day to day trench warfare he was killed in action, September 28th 1915 and buried on the battlefield by his comrades along with 2 others, who died that same day, their graves marked with crosses bearing their military details.
After the Armistice of 1918 at the request of the French and Belgian Governments isolated graves and small concentrations were brought into larger centuries. At map reference C. 25. c. 9. 3. remains were found still with crosses on the graves. Private Carroll, Private A. Keeble also of the 2nd Battalion D.L.I. and Corporal C. M. Payne 18th Siege Battery R.G.A. where brought into Duhallow A. D. S. Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium for reburial, February 20th 1919. Frank’s widow Margaret of 17, Pimlico Street, West Hartlepool, County Durham, received a letter from No. 1 Infantry Record Office, York, January 8th 1920, it reads, “Madam, I beg to inform you that it has been necessary to exhume the remains of the late Pte 9543 Frank Carroll 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, for proper burial at Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, 3/4 miles North of Ypres. The new grave has been duly marked with a Cross bearing all the late soldier’s particulars. The removal was undertaken with every measure of care and reverence and the re-interment conducted by an Army Chaplain, I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, for Colonel, No.1 Infantry Records.”
Private 9543 Frank Carroll Durham Light Infantry is at rest within Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium, grave VI. C. 9. At the time of his demise in 1915 he was 34 years of age. His military headstone is partially damaged and inscribed in error as age 32 years.
Private Carroll had made a will leaving in the event of his death, “the whole of my property and effects to;- Mrs Frank Carroll, 17. Pimlico Street, West Hartlepool, England.” His widow also received all monies due to her late husband from the Army, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal and a pension for herself and their children of 24 shillings 6 pence a week as of March 13th 1916.
Margaret commissioned at a cost of 3 shillings 9 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “On Whose Soul Sweet Jesus Have Mercy.”
Frank’s father Edward Carroll died in 1919 at Hartlepool aged 68 years.
Margaret Carroll nee McGuinness died at West Hartlepool in 1955 aged 72 years.
Their son Edward Carroll married Agnes Fagan in 1927, he died October 25th 1969 at Hartlepool.
Details as regards Ann Carroll as yet unknown.
Margaret Carroll was twice married, firstly to Denis Dowle in 1931 at Hartlepool, with whom she had a son Denis Dowle Jnr born October 25th 1933 and in 1952 to Walter Barnes at Middlesbrough. Denis Dowle Jnr died at Cleveland, Yorkshire in 1974.
Details as regards the demise of Margaret Barnes-Dowle nee Carroll, unknown.
Peter Carroll married Elizabeth Grant in 1936. In 1939 they were living at 1, Freville Street, West Hartlepool, where he was employed at the steelworks as a fitter’s labourer. He died at West Hartlepool, County Durham in 1999 aged 87 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Francis/Frank Carroll is remembered in West Hartlepool on W111.04, W111.54 and W111.86
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 227
