Michael Carroll was born in 1881 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 Michael was working as a joiner’s labourer for Bradford Corporation. The family moved to 3 Beldon Place, Undercliffe sometime after 1911. Michael enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery and served in South Africa. While stationed at the Golden Hill

Fort, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, he met and married Doris Gertrude Jerrett in 1908. Four children were born to them, Thomas William in 1908, Gladys Dora in 1910, Marjorie Edith in 1911 (died 1911), and Albert John in 1916. In 1911 the family were living in Diamond Cottages, Norton Green, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight and Michael’s occupation is shown as a bomber in the Royal Field Artillery. Out the outbreak of the First World War he was serving as Battery

Quartermaster Sergeant 18124. Nothing is known about his war service but he was killed on the 27th of January 1918 whilst serving at Golden Hill Fort. His death certificate reads as follows: “That the said Michael Carroll was shot by Henry Samuel Shead of Golden Hill Fort on 27th January 1918, the said Henry Samuel Shead being in great fear of personal bodily violence from the deceased man but the jury were of the opinion that he ought not to have used his Browning Pistol and the jurors further said Henry Samuel Shead unlawfully killed the said Michael Carroll. The inquest had been held on the 30th January 1918.”

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

Henry Shead was the Company Quartermaster Sergeant and when he was brought up at Newport Isle of Wight charged with wilful murder the Bench agreed to a reduced charge of manslaughter. Michael was 35 years of age when he died and he is buried in Totland (St. Saviour) Roman Catholic Chuchyard, Isle of Wight. He left his effects to his widow Doris Gertrude who received £23.12.4d on the 16th of August 1918 and a War Gratuity of £25.0.0d on the 29th January 1921.

The effect of the war on Michael’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