1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Captain John Cory Carr
- Age: 29
- From: Ormskirk, Lancs
- Regiment: 6th Kings
- Died on Sunday 20th October 1918
- Commemorated at: Tornai Cc Allied Extn
Panel Ref: IV.N.41
John Cory Carr was born in Ormskirk on 06th July 1889 the son of George William Carr and his wife Louisa Agnes (nee Cory) who were married in 1888 at Christ Church, Southport. He was baptised on the 11th August 1889 also at Christ Church.
The 1891 Census shows John as a 1 year old living with his parents at Cottage Lane, Aughton.
His father is aged 28, shown as a Coroner's clerk born in Southport in 1863 whilst his mother is also aged 28 and was born in Islington, London in 1863. Also present is a servant, 14 year old Jane Harrison.
In 1894 John is admitted to the Ormskirk United Charities School.
The1901 Census shows the family still at Cottage Lane, Aughton. His father, George, is aged 38, mother Louisa is aged 38 (married 22 years with 2 children), alongside John, now 21 years of age and employed as a Tailor's cutter. His Grandfather Thomas Samuel, a 72 year old retired draper, is still in the household.
The 1911 Census shows the family are now living at “Ashlea”, 70 Southport Road, Ormskirk. His father, George, is aged 48, mother Louisa is aged 48. They have been married for 22 years and have had 2 children. John, is now 21 years of age and employed as a tailor's cutter. His Grandfather Thomas Samuel, a 72 year old retired draper, is still in the household.
John enlisted in Liverpool joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 21943.
Formed in November 1914 the 20th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7th November 1915.
He was wounded in July 1916 as reported in the Liverpool Echo of 11th July 1916:
"Amongst the Ormskirk men wounded recently in France is Private J. C.Carr of the Liverpool Pals the only son of Mr. G.W. Carr, clerk to Mr. S. Brighouse the county coroner of Ormskirk. Happily his injuries are not serious - shrapnel wounds in the leg".
News of his wounds also featured in the Ormskirk Advertiser on 03rd August 1916:
PTE. J. C. CARR, of the Liverpool Pals who is now at the No. 1 Convalescent Depot, Boulogne suffering from wounds received in the big advance. He is the only son of Mr G. W. Carr of Southport Road, Ormskirk, clerk to the County Coroner.
Liverpool Evening Express 23rd July 1917
ORMSKIRK “PALS” COMMISSION.
“Private J. Cory Carr, only son of Mr J. W. Carr (clerk to Mr S. Brighouse, county coroner) of Ormskirk, has been gazetted as second-lieutenant and attached to the K.L.R. Lieutenant Carr joined the Liverpool Pals in November 1914, and was wounded last year. He has just completed four months training.”
His promotion was reported in the Lancashire Evening Post on Tuesday 30th July 1918;
ORMSKIRK OFFICER’S PROMOTION.
John was discharged to Commission and reached the rank of Captain with the 2/6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment.
"Sec.-Lieut. John Cory Carr, King's Liverpool Regt., only son of Mr. George William and Louisa Agnes Carr, of "Ashlea", Southport-road, Ormskirk (clerk to Mr. S. Brighouse, county coroner), has been promoted on the field to the rank of captain. Capt. Carr enlisted in November, 1914, went to France twelve months later, was wounded on the Somme in July 1916, and was granted a commission in January 1917".
He was killed in action on 20th October 1918 with the 6th Battalion. He was 29 years of age and he now rests at Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension where his headstone bears the epitaph:
"FOR IT IS NOT DEATH, BELOVED BUT AN ENDLESS GLORIOUS LIFE"
Tournai was captured by the German II Corps on 23 August 1914, in spite of resistance from a French Territorial Brigade, and the town remained in German hands until it was entered by the 47th (London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions on 8 November 1918. The 51st (Highland) Casualty Clearing Station arrived on 14 November and remained until 20 July 1919. During the occupation, the German sick and wounded were nursed in the "Asile", whilst the Commonwealth and Allied were cared for in the Hopital Notre-Dame. The (Southern) Communal Cemetery, in the Faubourg-St.Martin, was used and extended by the Germans, although the graves were later regrouped by nationality and some were brought in from other cemeteries in a wide area around Tournai.
The Allied extension now contains 689 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 34 of them unidentified. There are also 117 Russian burials, all of men who died as prisoners of war, and two Belgian war graves. Almost all of the 52 Second World War burials in the extension date from May 1940 and the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force ahead of the German advance.
His death was reported in the Ormskirk Advertiser on Thursday 07th November 1918:
Captain J. C.Carr
Only son of Mr. George William and Louisa Agnes Carr of "Ashlea", Southport-road, Ormskirk, who fell in battle whilst leading his men under trying conditions. Twenty nine years of age, he enlisted in 1914 as a ranker, and after being given a commission was promoted to the rank of captain on the field. He was highly respected by a large circle of friends.
News of his death also featured in the Liverpool Echo on 26th October 1918
Captain J. C. Carr. of the K.L.R., has been killed in action in France, Captain Carr joined the Liverpool Pals, and saw much service in France. It is only a few months ago since he was promoted on the field from the rank of lieutenant to captain.
His death was also reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Monday 28th Oct 1918:
CAPTAIN J. C. CARR.
Captain J. C. Carr, K.L.R., only son of Mr G. W. Carr of Ormskirk (clerk to Mr S. Brighouse, the county coroner), has been killed in action in France. He joined the Liverpool Pals as a ranker in the early stages of the war in 1914, and spent nearly two years in France before being wounded, after which he was offered a commission in his old Regiment. A keen soldier and a popular officer he was soon promoted on the field from the rank of Lieutenant to that of Captain. Captain Carr, who was unmarried, was 23 years of age, and before the war was in business at Southport. He was expected home on leave this week-end.
His death was also reported in the St. Helens Newspaper & Advertiser - Friday 01 November 1918:
CAPTAIN J. C. CARR
(KILLED IN ACTION).
Captain J. C. Carr, K.L.R., only son of Mr. G. W. Carr, of Ormskirk (clerk to Mr. N. Brighouse, the county coroner), has been killed in action in France. He joined the Liverpool “Pals” as a ranker in the early stages of the war in 1914, and spent nearly two years in France before being wounded, after which he was offered a commission in his old regiment. A keen soldier and a popular officer, he was soon promoted on the field from the rank of Lieutenant to that of captain. Captain Carr, who was unmarried, was 28 years of age, and before the war was in business in Southport. He was expected home on leave at the week-end.
John's military career was included in the De Ruvigny’s Roll:-
Volunteered for active Service and joined the Liverpool Regiment on the 10th November 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from November 1915; was wounded on the Somme 1st July 1916 while acting as Battalion Runner and invalided home; on recovery he joined his regiment in France; returned home to train for Commission in January 1917 and was gazetted Second Lieutenant, the Liverpool Regiment 23 July, Acting Brigade Adjutant May 1918 and Captain in the following July, and was killed in action near Tournai on the 20th October 1918; Buried in Blandain Cemetery. His commanding officer wrote:- “He was an excellent Company Commander who I always felt I could thoroughly rely on to do his utmost in action, and in looking after his men. He frequently behaved with the greatest gallantry, and fell leading his men on in very trying conditions. I shall personally miss him and know that his brother officers who have been with him longer than I, feel his loss very much,” and the Chaplain:- “...He was always a good man and a good soldier who set a fine example to his men at all times.” A brother officer also wrote:- “He was absolutely fearless and honestly did the work of a dozen men.” He was very musical, sang in the Ormskirk Parish Church Choir as a boy and man, and never missed an opportunity of taking his place in the choir when home on leave, and was also a brilliant chess player.
Soldiers Effects of over £140 and war gratuity of £15 went to his mother Louisa, no Pension record has been found.
bate:-
CARR John Corey of Ashlea, Southport Road, Ormskirk Lancashire Captain King’s Liverpool Regiment died 20 October 1918 in France Administration (with Will) Liverpool 31 July to Louisa Agnes Carr (wife of George William Carr). Effects £136 11s 1d.
A memorial service was held for John in Ormskirk Parish Church.
John is commemorated on the Ormskirk War Memorial.
His father died, aged 67, on the 23rd June 1930
His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 05th July 1930
CORONER AND THE PRESS
At the end of an Aintree inquest yesterday Coroner Brighouse paid an eloquent tribute to his late clerk, Mr George William Carr, who was appointed in January 1884, and died June 23rd. The coroner remarked that during the past year 1199 deaths had been reported to him. He asked the police and the Press to extend to new clerk, Mr Thomas Rothwell, assistance they always gave to Mr Carr.
“No one recognises more than I do,” said the coroner, “that the coroner’ court proceedings would be of no service at all unless there was publicity. The Press are very great assistance.”
His mother appears on the 1939 register at 16 St John’s Place, Crosby, her dob 30th October 1862.
His mother, died, aged 78, in the December quarter of 1941.
We currently have no further information on John Cory Carr, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
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