Private 14296 Thomas Carrington


Killed in Action on Saturday, 16th September 1916, age 22.
Commemorated on Pier and Face 7 D and 8 D of Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

2nd Bn., Coldstream Guards. 1 (Gds) Brigade of Guards Division.

Son of George & Annie Carrington, of 36 Providence Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Birmingham, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 10th August 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1542355/


Genealogical Data

Birth of Thomas Carrington registered March quarter 1894 in Dudley.

1901 Census
14 Providence Street, Tipton, Staffs.
George Carrington (36, Collier, born Bloxwich), his wife Annie (34, born Tipton), and their 5 children: Annie (11, born Tipton), Frederick (9, born Tipton), Thomas (7, born Tipton), John (2, born Tipton), and Mary Ellen (8 months, born Tipton).

1911 Census
212 Horseley Heath, Tipton, Staffs.
George Carrington (47, Coal Miner - Underground, born Bloxwich), his wife Annie (44, Domestic Servant, born Tipton), and their 8 surviving children of 10: Annie (21, born Tipton), Frederick (19, Coal Miner - Underground, born Tipton), Thomas (17, Coal Miner - Above ground, born Horseley Heath), John (13, School, born Horseley Heath), Ellen (11, School, born Horseley Heath), Henry (9, School, born Horseley Heath), Elizabeth (4, born Horseley Heath), and George (10 months, born Horseley Heath).


Personal Data

The Tipton Library Memorial shows J Carrington. This was a sign-writer error as the 'Staffordshire Roll of Honour' records T Carrington, Coldstream Guards.

The Enlistment Register of the Coldstream Guards records that Thomas Carrington enlisted on 28th December 1914. It is possible that Thomas was a chum of Walter Wood as Walter also enlisted with the Coldstream Guards on that day and had number 14295 - the next in sequence to Thomas with 14296. Sadly, Walter was also to lose his life.

After Thomas's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £2/0/7d (2 pounds and 7 pence); this was paid to his father, George, in February 1917. His War Gratuity was £9/10/0d (9 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his father in August 1919.

A Dependant's Pension of 5/0d (5 shillings) per week was awarded to his mother, Mrs Annie Carrington of 36 Providence Street, Tipton. This was paid from 9th October 1917.


Action resulting in his death

Thomas enlisted with the Coldstream Guards in December 1914, arriving in France on 10th August 1915 for service with the 2nd Battalion. Their involvement in September and October 1915 in Battle of Loos was relatively light, and the first (and only) major action that Thomas saw was the Battle of Flers/Courcelette commencing on 15th September 1916. Despite this, his battalion still had almost 100 men killed during the 14 months from the time of his arrival to his death.

At the end of July 1916, the Guards Division left the Ypres Salient to take part in the Battle of the Somme. They missed the disastrous First Day (1st July), the Battle of Bazentin Ridge (14th July) and the slow slog towards Delville and High Woods, but their turn came in the Third Phase of the Battle of the Somme – the Battle of Flers/Courcelette.

The first week of September was spent in billets at Méaulte, but on the 10th September the battalion moved to dug-outs at Carnoy. At 20.00 hours on the 14th September the 2nd Coldstream Guards (2/CG) moved up to the front line at Ginchy, in preparation for their attack on the next day. Relief was completed about midnight.

15th September 1916 was a day of great progress for the Allies who advanced on a six-mile front to a depth of 2,000 to 3,000 yards, Flers, Martinpuich, Courcelette and High Wood were all captured and tanks made their first ever appearance in battle. The main delay was that the Guards Division advancing towards Lesboeufs were held up by the German position known as the Quadrilateral.

At 06.30 hours on the 15th September the 2/CG advanced to the assault with 3/CG on their left and 1/CG on their right. On emerging from Ginchy Wood the line came under very heavy machine gun and rifle fire and despite the Allied artillery barrage casualties were very heavy. Two lines of trenches were captured and the original objective of 1000-2000 yards was taken without great opposition by 07.15 hours. At 11.00 hours the line again advanced and despite a heavy enemy artillery barrage, took the second line.

During the night of 15th/16th September, 2/CG consolidated their positions, but throughout the 16th September they were continually shelled by enemy artillery. After a quiet night the 2nd Battalion was relieved at dawn on 17th September.

The 2/CG War Diary records that out of 18 officers, 6 were killed and 10 wounded; 440 Other Ranks were killed, wounded or missing. The Commonwealth War Graves records that 22 men died on 14th September, 26 on the 15th and 116 on the 16th. Given the confusion of battle it is likely that these were not entirely accurate, and the number understated for the 15th and overstated for the 16th.

Thomas is recorded as being killed in action on 16th September. Like the majority of his comrades killed in this action, Thomas has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.


Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Daily Post 2nd November 1916
RANK AND FILE: MIDLANDS MEN.
The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates:
KILLED.
COLDSTREAM GUARDS- Carrington, 14296, T., (Tipton).