Joseph Carroll was born in 1895 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. The family moved to 3 Beldon Place, Undercliffe sometime after 1911. Joseph enlisted in 1914 as Private 13416 in the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment. On the 31st December 1915 he was listed as wounded whilst with the

Expeditionary Force in the Mediteranean. His Battalion fought at the Somme offensive in the Battle of Albert 1st to 13th July 1916 and at Transloy 1st to the 18th of October 1916. The 2nd Battalion took part in the Arras offensive at the Scarpe in April and May of 1917, and at Ypres in the Battle of Polygon Wood 26th September to 3rd October. He was wounded in the spring of 1918 during the battles of Lys and died from his wounds on the 8th of

May 1918. He was 23 years of age. On the 2nd of August 1918 he was Gazetted when the King was graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal to this non-commissioned officer for bravery in the field. Joseph is buried at the Lapugnoy Military Cemetery. The first burials were made in Plot I of the cemetery in September 1915, but it was most heavily used during the Battle of Arras, which began in April 1917.

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

The dead were brought to the cemetery from casualty clearing stations, chiefly the 18th and the 23rd at Lapugnoy and Lozinghem, but between May and August 1918 the cemetery was used by fighting units. Joseph left his effects to his mother Mary who received £21.13.7d on the 2nd of October 1918 and a War Gratuity of £17.10s on the 8th December 1919.

The effect of the war on Joseph’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