Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Albert Edward Carrick, one of 9 children, all of whom survived, was the eldest of 6 brothers 2 sisters and 2 gender unknown. His father Robert Carrick was born at Haltwhistle, Northumberland, in 1867, his mother Matilda Scott was born, June 29th 1868 at Kirkmichael, Ayrshire, Scotland, the daughter of Charles and Josephine Scott, who with their children left Scotland between 1871 and 1881 settling at Lambley, district of Haltwhistle, where her father was employed at the colliery as a coal crusher. Robert and Matilda were married at Haltwhistle in 1888 and Albert Edward was born later that same year. The following year, 1889, Matilda gave birth to Obadiah and Annie in 1891 whilst they were living at Gorcock Hill, Northumberland. Robert continued to support his growing family employed as a coal miner. Matilda over the next ten years gave birth to 4 children, Charles Govan in 1894, James 1895, Josephine Adele 1897 and Robert Robinson in 1898 at Haltwhistle, before they moved to South Gosforth, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, living in 1901 at 6, Streatham Terrace. Robert Carrick continued working as a coal miner, however, by 1911 was employed as a scavenger by the Urban District Council, involved in cleaning dry latrines and sewers, whilst Albert Edward (22) worked at the pit head as a labourer, James (16) a contractor’s cartman, Adele, Robert Jnr and William, 14,11 and 8 were scholars, Annie (20) remained at home, which was 4 rooms at 15, William’s Street, Gosforth. Matilda Carrick is not listed in the 1911 census at the same address as her family as she was spending time with her widowed sister, Josephine Biddick and family at Greenhead Carlisle, district of Haltwhislte. Obadiah Carrick could be found with his wife of one year, Margaret Ann and daughter Margaret Ann Birch Carrick at Long Benton Farm Cottage, employed as a horseman.
Albert Edward Carrick enlisted in 1915 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, assigned as Private S/12150 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders and departed after January 1916 joining his regiment in Mesopotamia, attached to the 21st Brigade, 7th Indian Division.
British and Indian troops fought side by side in Mesopotamia against the Turks who had allied themselves with the Germans. In January 1916 two Indian Divisions known as the Tigris Corps fought a major battle at Shaik Sadd while Major-General Sir George Younghusband’s 7th Division attacked both sides of the river, the 35th Brigade on the left bank the 28th on the right with a flotilla of gunboats and supply vessels in support. Management of the attack on both sides of the river proved impossible, the attack failed with heavy losses.
General Aylmer arrived with reinforcements and launched a second attack but was also driven back. Attacking during the night of 8-9th January 1916 the British were surprised to find the Turkish trenches unoccupied, the Turks had withdrawn. They pushed on the Hanna but were unable to break through during the Battle of Wadi and Hanna, January 13th-21st 1916. Further attacks on Sannalyat in March and April also failed with the loss of circa 23,000 men, wounded or killed.
In 1917 the Brigade took part in the 2nd Battle of Kut including the capture of Sannalyat, February 17th-24th and the Advance to Bagdad, March 9th-10th and the Occupation of Bagdad on the 11th. They then advanced to Samarra participating during the Actions of Mushahida, March 14th, the Action of Istabulat April 21-22nd and the Occupation of Samarra April 24th. The brigade remained in action in Mesopotamia until November 2nd 1917, at the Action of Daur.
Private Carrick was wounded in the line of duty and evacuated back through the lines to Bagdad where since the city fell in March 1917 the Expeditionary Force had established an advanced base with two stationary hospitals and three Casualty Clearing Stations.
Private S/12150 Albert Edward Carrick Seaforth Highlanders succumbed to wounds sustained, July 12th 1917 and was interred at Bagdad (North Gate) War Cemetery grave XV. F. 4. He was 28 years of age and single.
His father received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory medal sent to 86, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Robert Carrick commissioned at a cost of 15 shillings 2 pence an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “Let Those Who Come After See To It That His Name Be Not Forgotten.”
Although his younger brothers, with the exception of Robert and William, would have been eligible for service during WW1, no records have been found.
Robert Carrick Snr died in 1928, Matilda Carrick nee Scott in 1932, aged 61 and 64 years respectively, both registered at Castle Ward, Northumberland.
The current political situation in Iraq has made access to cemeteries impossible. The CWGC has therefore produced a Roll of Honour, consisting of 2 volumes, listing all casualties buried or commemorated in Iraq. It is available to view at the Commission's Head Office in Maidenhead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Albert Edward Carrick is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
