8th Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), 29 September 1915
Arbroath Roll of Honour
Extract from the above publication:-
Private Peter Carrie, 8th Black Watch, 56 Melville Street, Lochgelly, was the son of David Carrie, 42 1/2 East Abbey Street, Arbroath. He was forty-four years of age. He married Jane Stewart, and left three sons and one daughter. Private Carrie had been seven years in the army, and served both in India and South Africa. He was employed at one time at the Millgate Tanworks, but at the time of his rejoining the colours in 1914 he was working as a miner at Lochgelly. He was killed on the 29th September 1915. The medical officer said that Private Carrie had been with him all the time during the great battle of Loos, and by his vigilance had saved him over and over again. On the night of September the 25th his assistance was invaluable in looking after many seriously wounded men, and he did not hesitate to go out under fire and bring them in. Had he lived he would have been recommended for the D.C.M.. The Black Watch made a magnificant charge on the 25th of September, and Peter helped to keep up the great name it had always had.
Further Information
Further to the above information:-
In the 1901 Census while resident in Dunfermline, his occupation was shown as a Railway Porter.
Peter enlisted at Perth into the 8th Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) and following this he later entered the French Theatre of War on 10 May 1915.
On 25th September 1915, the Battle of Loos commenced which was the biggest allied attack of 1915 on the Western Front, Peter was engaged in this action certainly over the first three days until his stated death on 29 September 1915.
He is honoured and remembered on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France as he was either not recovered or remained unidentified.
His wife Jane was the sole Legate of his belongings as shown in the Register of Soldiers Effects.
War Diary of the 8th Royal Highlanders from 28th to 29th September 1915
The Battalion War Diary for the period 28th – 29th September 1915 for the 8th Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) does not support the date in which Private Carrie was killed in action. It states the following :-
28 September 1915 (5 a.m.) – The Battalion was withdrawn to the reserve line which it occupied till 9.30 a.m. when it was withdrawn to Billets in Bethune the whole 9th Division having been relieved by 28th Division.
29 September 1915 – Battalion in Billets in Bethune.
It does state however that fierce fighting took place in the three days prior to the 28th September in which the battalion lost 18 officers and 492 rank and file. It may have been the case that Peter Carrie had been lost during that period or was wounded and later died as a result although this is purely speculative.
The Courier dated 23 October 1915
Arbroath Black Watch Man Reported Killed
Mrs Peter Carrie, 42 1/2 East Abbey Street, Arbroath, has received information that her husband, Private Peter Carrie, 8th Black Watch, has been killed in action. The sad news was sent by Private Alexander, Montrose, a companion of Private Carrie.
Private Carrie, who was 41 years of age, was the son of Mr David Carrie, chimney sweep. He had been for seven years in the Black Watch, and served most of that time in India and South Africa. His time as a reservist had expired before the outbreak of war but he gallantly offered himself again for service.
Family
Peter Carrie was born on 19 September 1874 at Arbroath, Angus. The following family information is taken from the 1881 and 1901 Census.
His family is shown as follows :-
- Wife: Jane Swankie Stewart or Carrie, b. 1 March 1878 at Arbroath, d. 26 Oct. 1961.
- Daughter: Nellie S., born c.1899 at Dunfermline.
- Son: David, born 13 January 1902
- Son: Robert Muir, born 25 June 1906.
- Daughter: Violet, born 13 February 1911
- Son: Peter, born 3 February 1916
- Father: David Carrie, born c.1849 at Arbroath, Angus – Iron Moulder.
- Mother: Flora Corsar Gordon or Carrie, born c.1848 at Arbroath, Angus.
- Brother: Stephen G., born c.1873 at Arbroath, Angus.
- Sister: Ann G., born c.1877.
- Brother: Edward G., born c.1879.
- Brother: David, born c.1880.
His brother Lance-Corporal David Carrie was killed in action on 1 July 1916 while serving with the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France. He was thirty two years old and left a widow and family.
Addresses
The following addresses have been ascertained for Peter Carrie :-
- 1881 – 46 North Street, Dundee, Angus.
- 1901 – 70 New Row, Dunfermline, Fife.
- 1915 – 56 Melville Street, Lochgelly, Fife.
Medals
Peter Carrie was awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War. His date of entry into the theatre of war in France was the 10 May 1915.
Memorials
Peter Carrie is honoured and remembered on the following memorials :-
- Arbroath War Memorial, Tayside.
Links to Additional Information
- Find a Grave website – Peter Carrie – Loos Memorial
- A Street Near You website – Peter Carrie
- Lives of the First World War – Peter Carrie
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission – Peter Carrie
- Imperial War Museum Memorials – Arbroath War Memorial
References
- Medal Index Card.
- Soldiers Died in the Great War.
- Pension Cards.
- Register of Soldiers Effects.
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- Find a Grave.
- 1891 Census.
- 1901 Census.
- Medal Roll – Royal Highlanders – British War Medal and Victory Medal.
- Medal Roll – Royal Highlanders – 1914-15 Star.
- Arbroath Roll of Honour.
- War Diary 8th Royal Highlanders (Black Watch).
- Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms (Ancestry)
Groups
Contributors:-
- Vincent Stuart.
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