Corporal William Charles Carr (Crossley)
9183 1st Lancashire Fusiliers
Died of Phthisis 9th February 1921, contracted whilst a POW, aged 36
Lived at 5 Forest Street
Buried in Burnley Cemetery NE CE 5051
St Peters Memorial, Burnley
Burnley Express 24/10/1914 - 28/10/1914 - 31/11/1914 - 26/1/1918

William Charles Carr was born in Burnley the son of Daniel and Mary Ann Carr of 36 Godley Street, Burnley. He lived at 5 Forest Street and was the husband of Mary Elizabeth Carr (who later remarried and became Mrs Holdsworth and lived at 86 Dall Street, Burnley). He served as Corporal 9183 in the 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He died in Ipswich from phthisis contracted as a prisoner of war aged 36 on Wednesday 9th February 1921.

“Another Released War Prisoner. Joy on reaching Holland” ( Burnley Express of January 26th 1918 )

Another British prisoner of war to be released from Germany and now in Holland, is Corporal William Carr of Burnley. He enlisted in the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers under the name of Crossley, and was captured August 26th 1914. At first reported missing, he soon sent a note on a scrap of paper to say that he was made a prisoner. Corpl. Carr had served with the colours about eight years, and four on the reserve, and he was almost a time expired man when war broke out. Before re-joining, he was a weaver and, also worked at the North Street baths in the evenings. He has been in several camps in Germany and now writes from Holland describing his journey from Soldan. At Hanover on the 3rd Inst., he says :- “We had to wait on the station until 12.0 (midnight): for another train, and when the train came in it was packed with their own troops going to the front, so we had to wait. Well we missed three like this, eventually seating ourselves at 2.14am on the 4th in a train bound for Aachen. We crossed the border about 8.30am., and then a cheer broke from us – we could not help it. At 9.00am we left the Deutsch sentries and train, and were taken into a hall where we had something to eat, cigarettes, cigars, English papers, and I don’t know what. Talk about being happy , you should have seen the 300 of us who had been behind barbed wire for over three years and then found ourselves free. Well we left here at 11.00am, on a Dutch train and no sentries!! – and from Velns to this place every station was packed with people giving us a welcome. When we arrived here at the station there were hundreds of people; and didn’t they cheer as we marched through the crowd to an hotel where we were welcomed by the British Ambassador, the Dutch Ambassador, and generals and officers of two armies. Then there were some ladies amongst them being Lady Towneley. We heard words from their Majesties the King and Queen of England, Rt. Hon. Mr Balfour, Mr Carson, and very touching words they were too. It took us all our time to keep out tears back but we soon checked them when we gave cheers for these people. You should have heard us – well I am still hoarse with it. After tea we rode to a house where I am writing this letter. This is Sunday and I am going to church to a thanksgiving service”

Notes
Wedding on 31st December 1918 at St Peter’s Church. William Charles Carr age 34, bachelor, soldier of 10 Clegg Street son of Daniel Carr (deceased) Builder married Mary Elizabeth Jackson age 31 Spinster of 10 Godley St daughter of Isaac Jackson (deceased) carter. Witnesses were William Thomas Howarth and Agnes Ann Carr.
Witness at a wedding
Wedding on 1/2/13 at St Peter’s Church. William Thomas Howarth, aged 27 widower, weaver of 86 Master Street, son of John William Howarth, weaver, married Margaret Emma Blaylock, spinster, weaver, of 10 Godley Street daughter of George Blaylock, Joiner. Witnesses were WILLIAM CHARLES CARR and Mary Elizabeth Jackson. .
1901 Census – 36 Godley Street - Mary Ann Carr (52) widow, John Crossley Carr (23) rope and twine worker born Brierfield, Dan (18) cotton warehouseman , Mary Jane (20) weaver, William Charles (16) weaver, Edith (14) weaver, Agnes Ann (12) Laura Jennett (6).