Chester-le-Street Chronicle
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Carr was born January 10th 1896 in Silksworth, County Durham, one of 5 children, 4 boys and 1 girl born to George William Carr 1874 Silksworth and Barbara Foster 1877 Ryhope, County Durham. They were married in the district of Sunderland in 1895. By 1901 they could be found living at 22 Wellington Street, Southwick, William’s father was working as a coal miner - hewer eventually moving to 38 Kimberley Terrace, Craghead by 1911, still employed as a miner - stone man. William now 14 years old was employed at the pit below ground as a pony driver.
William Carr enlisted January 12th 1915 assigned as TZ/3528 Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. He was drafted as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force September 9th 1915 joining Drake Battalion, 63rd Royal Naval Division, September 21st 1915. William was hospitalised October 10th 1915 suffering from dysentry, returning to Drake Battalion, January 9th 1916. The 63rd Division took part in the Gallipoli Campaign until their evacuation from Gallipoli and transferral to France where they participated in the final phases of the Battle of the Somme along the river Ancre to capture Beaucourt. Their service continued in the trenches on the Western Front where William suffered a shrapnel wound to the chest and was taken to the 11th Casualty Clearing Station at Varennes.
Able Seaman TZ/3528 William Carr Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve died of wounds December 14th 1916. He is interred at Varennes Military Cemetery, Albert, France, grave I. G. 73. William was 19 years old and single.
All monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to his family at 9 Thomas Street, Craghead, County Durham.
William's younger brother John Carr also served and survived the Great War. He married twice and had 3 children. He died in 1969.
William's father, George Carr died in 1952, his mother Barbara in 1961.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Carr is remembered at Craghead on C120.01, C120.02 and C120.04
