2nd Lieut Alfred Rothwell Carr

• Age: 29
• From: Sale, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Henin Crucifix Cem
  Panel Ref: A.39

Alfred Rothwell Carr was born on 22nd Oct 1887 at "Wythburn", Brooklands, Sale and was the son of John Lindley & Jane Carr (nee Hoyle) of "The Elms," Sale, Cheshire, who were married in 1874 in Todmorden, Yorks.

The 1891 Census shows the family at “Wythburn”, West Grove, Brooklands, Sale.

Father John L. Carr, Married, aged: 40, occupation: Small Ware Manufacturer, born in Manchester and his wife Jane Carr, aged: 42.  

The 1901 Census shows Alfred at Buxton College, Burbage, Buxton as a boarder aged 13.

The 1911 Census shows Alfred now aged 23 employed as an Insurance clerk employed in the actuarial Department of the Refuge Insurance Co, Manchester. He also served in the OTC at Denham & Oxford. 

Second Lieutenant Carr actually belonged to the 9th Battalion (The King’s Liverpool Regiment), although at the time of his death he was serving with the 17th Battalion. He crossed to France on the 9th January 1917 and reported for duty on the 13th January 1917 when it was at ‘C’ Camp at Halloy, in Northern France. He was killed in action four-month later, on 9th April 1917 ,the first day of the Battle of Arras.

He was attached to ‘B’ Company, which was dug in West of a position known as Boiry Copse, which was west of the village of Henin. Although in Brigade Reserve, its task was to act as a ‘mopping up ‘ force for the main assault Battalion’s from the 89th Brigade, the 20th to the left and the 19th to the right. The main attack began at 05.30am,but by 15.30 In the afternoon when the Pals attacked, it had faltered against the uncut wire. The German front line trenches were well. Placed behind the crest of a small rise in the ground, and although enemy shelling was fairly light, casualties were caused by well sited machine – guns, firing from the front line. The Battalion was held on the uncut wire about 150 yards in front of its original positions.

By the evening, ‘B’ Company was ordered to retire and re-group in its original positions and by that time, two officers and nineteen other ranks from the Battalion had been killed or died of wounds, including Second Lieutenant Carr ; three officers and forty eight other ranks had been wounded. All four of the officers inaction from ‘B’ Company were hit, two led and two wounded.

He now rests at Henin Crucifix Cemetery, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH”

Henin-sur-Cojeul was captured on 02nd April 1917, lost in March 1918 after an obstinate resistance by the 40th Division, and retaken on 24 August 1918 by the 52nd (Lowland) Division.

Henin Crucifix Cemetery is named from a calvary standing on the opposite side of the road. It was made by units of the 30th Division after the capture of the village in 1917.

Henin Crucifix Cemetery contains 61 burials and commemorations of the First World War. Two of the burials are unidentified and eight graves, destroyed in later fighting, are now represented by special memorials.

The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith.

His death was reported in the 20th April, 1917 edition of the Nantwich Guardian.

CARR - Killed in action on the 9th inst., Second-Lieutenant Alfred Rothwell Carr, King's (Liverpool Regiment), aged 29, dearly-beloved and youngest son of Mr and Mrs John Lindley Carr or Timperley, Cheshire.

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Refuge Assurance War Memorial in Wilmslow, Cheshire,

Christ Church in Timperley,

Altrincham and District Roll of Honour

He is also commemorated on the family headstone located in Sale Cemetery.

Soldiers Effects to father John Lindley, no Pension record found

CARR - Alfred Rothwell of Redbrook, Timperley 2/Lt KLR who died 9th April 1917 at Arras Probate London 7th April 1918 to John Lindley Carr director of limited company. Effects £2942 7s 2d.

Father died on the 25th Nov 1918 aged 68, probate to Edward Hoyle Carr and James Bentley Carr and James Proctor Green. Effects £53,343 19s 4d

The mother Jane died in Liverpool in 1924 aged 76.

We currently have no further information on Alfred Rothwell Carr, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.