John Carroll was born in 1889 in Bradford, the son of Thomas and Ireland-born Mary, nee McNulty. The couple started married life in Bradford where all their nine children were born. In 1901 John, aged 12, was working as a worsted spinner and ten years later he is shown as a labourer. The family moved to 3 Beldon Place, Undercliffe sometime after 1911.

At the outbreak of the First World War John was living in Dundee and he enlisted in September 1914 as Private 8579 in the 7/8th Battalion of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. His Battalion fought at the Battle of Loos 25th September to 15th October 1915 through a gas

cloud and then, when it cleared, machine gun fire. They were involved in the Somme offensive at the Battle of Pozieres 23rd July to the 3rd September 1916 and at Flers-Courcelette 15th September to 22nd September 1916. He also fought in the Arras offensive at the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe 23rd/24th April 1917. During these actions he was twice wounded and then returned to the front. He was killed in action on the 29th

Researched and written by Jean Britteon, to whom many thanks.

July 1917 two days before the start of the Battle of Ypres when no major engagement was taking place. He was 27 years of age. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. John left his effects to his mother Mary who received £2.1.7d on the 15th of November 1917 and a War Gratuity of £2.0.0d on the 10th October 1919.

The effect of the war on John’s family is summed up in these two reports published in the Shipley Times & Express Mrs Carroll of 3 Beldon Place, Idle Road, Undercliffe, is the mother of four sons and there are also three sons-in-law who have rendered splendid service for their King and Country in this time of national crisis. Though 60 years of age, Mrs Carroll is still vigorous and very proud of the family record. When families have given of their best and bravest it is hardly to be expected that all will pass safely through the ordeal of war and Mrs Carroll has been called upon to take her share of sorrow by the loss of two of her sons, the wounding of another and one of her sons-in- law is also in hospital with a bullet wound in his thigh. Taken in order of age, the record of the sons is as follows: Sgt Michael Carroll, 38, served with the Royal Garrison Artillery eight years before the outbreak of war and being on the reserve at the commencement of hostilities, was immediately called to take his place with the guns.

He has served over two years in France and so far has come through without a scratch. Pte John Carroll, who was in the Scottish Borderers, served in France two years and during that period was wounded three times and was eventually killed on July 31st this year. He was a single young man and 28 years of age. Cpl William Carroll, 24, was in the Royal Garrison Artillery and proving himself a good shot was presented with the cross guns badge and also the good conduct stripe. After completing his training he was sent to France but was only there a few weeks when he was killed in action on May 4th this year Pte Joseph Carroll is in the West Riding Regt and was sent out to the Dardanelles where he was wounded. On recovering from his injuries he was sent to France and was again wounded and is now at the front for the third time. He is 22 years of age. Pte Harrison Ashforth, son-in-law, is in the West Yorks and after six weeks service in France received a bullet wound in the thigh on May 3rd and is still in hospital. Before joining the colours he was in business

for himself as a decorator. Pte Thomas Mulligan, son-in-law, has been four months in France with the Army Ordnance. Mr William Medley, son-in-law, has been engaged in munitions at Leather’s, Canal Road, Bradford, chemical manufacturer since the works were taken over by the Government. He has been employed by the same firm for 23 years. 21 September 1917 The serious losses in the war of Mrs Carroll of 3 Beldon Place, Undercliffe, have been further emphasised by the latest news concerning another son, who has been killed in action. He is Pte Joseph Carroll and he is the fourth brother to fall in the war. He was with the Duke Of Wellington’s West Riding Regt Mrs Carroll’s other fallen sons are: Pte John Carroll, Scottish Border Regt, killed on 29th July 1917; QM Sgt M Carroll, killed in an accident at the front this year; and Cpl W Carroll, killed in May 1917. 31 May 1918