Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Lance Corporal

Army Number : 8686

Unit : 2nd Bn

Biography :

'Jack' Carroll enlisted in the Regiment on 4.5.1909, and served in 2nd Bn in the First World War, initially in France. He was promoted Unpaid Lance Corporal on 30.9.1915 and Paid Lance Corporal on 2.1.1916. He later served in 2nd Bn in Mesopotamia, where he was wounded in action on 13.1.1916. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions (L.G.15.4.1916, page 3988: "'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a machine gun. He handled his gun with ability and judgement, and gave excellent support to the attacking line."). He was discharged on 18.8.1916 on account of those wounds to his leg.

Medal Card: Carroll John William - Depot Leic. R - 8686 - Lcpl - enlisted- discharged 18.8.16 - cause of discharge: wounds. - 1914 Star, Victory, British War Medal and Silver War Badge.

Regimental Medal Entitlement Sheet: 8686 Lcpl Carroll John William DCM - 2/Leic R - 1914 Star, Victory, British War Medal and Silver War Badge.

Newspaper report:

DCM for Leicester Soldier

In Saturday's official announcement of the award of 13 DCM's to men in the Leicestershire regiment, appeared the name of Lance-Corporal W Carroll, of 22 Grundon Street, Leicester. The father is also an old soldier, having served throughout the South African War, and is now doing more as a National Reservist, and another son is in the Leicester Pioneers. Lance-Corporal Carroll has almost completed seven years' service. According to the Gazette he was awaded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a machine-gun. He handled his gun with ability and judgement, and gave excellent support to the attacking line. Unfortunately Lance-Corporal Carroll was wounded in the left leg, and has been at Netley Hospital for six weeks.

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Extract from 'A Short History of the Regiment'

The 2nd Battalion had in the meantime been brought from India to France as the British Battalion of the Garhwal Brigade of the 7th Indian Division. The early spring of 1915 saw a great hammer blow delivered by British troops on the German position at Neuve Chapelle. The Garhwal Brigade's Indian battalions were held up by uncut wire, but the 2nd Battalion led the brilliant attack on the right and smashed a way through or over all obstacles and quickly overwhelmed the enemy holding the trenches covering the village and woods at Neuve Chapelle. It was a glorious episode and many were the gallant deeds performed that day by the "Tigers", the most notable being that of Private William Buckingham who was awarded the Victoria Cross.

In the winter of 1915-1916 the 2nd Battalion, as part of the 7th Indian Division, was transferred to Mesopotamia. It distinguished itself in the battles of Shaikh Saad, Kut-al-Amara, the various battles of Sannaiyat, and went on to the capture of Baghdad, when the Battalion had the honour of being the first troops to enter the city. In the winter of 1917-1918 the Battalion moved to Palestine, and took part in the victorious advance that defeated and captured the Turkish Army in the late summer of 1918.

Date of Birth : 24.6.1888

Place of Birth : Leicester

Date of Death : 12.1.1965

Place of Death : Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Civil Occupation : Engineering Inspector

Period of Service : 1909-1916

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : France, Mesopotamia