Biography of Private Walter Carrington, (26870)
2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Died 4th March 1917
- Name: Walter Carrington
- Date of birth: 1883
- Place of Birth: Billingborough, Lincolnshire, England
- Date of Birth Registration: October – December 1883
- Place of Birth Registration: Bourne District
- Name: Unknown as is so called father William Carrington died in 1880 but probably John Johnson as he married his mother in the same year he was born.
- DOB:
- Place of Birth:
- Occupation:
- Name: Jane Gibson
- DOB: 1853
- Place Of Birth: Braceby, Lincolnshire, England
- Marriage:
Siblings: (Name), (DOB), (POB)
- John H Johnson, 1875, Roxholm (Step brother)
- William Johnson, 1877, Thurlby (Step brother)
- Eleanor Mary Carrington, 1877, Basford (Half sister)
- James C Johnson, 1879, Thurlby (Step brother)
- Sarah V Johnson, Billingborough, (Step sister)
- Mary A Johnson, 1882, Billingborough (Step sister)
- Walter Carrington, 1883, Billingborough
- Arthur Johnson, 1889, Billingborough (Half brother)
- Frances Jane Johnson, 1891, Billingborough (Half sister)
- Henry Johnson, 1894, Billingborough (Half brother)
- Frederick Johnson, 1897, Billingborough (Half brother)
- 1891: Walter is living with his mother and step father in Billingborough, Lincolnshire
- 1901: Walter is living with the Waters family in Dyke, Lincolnshire as a boarder working as a horseman on farm.
- 1911: Walter is living with his mother in Billingborough, Lincolnshire. The census gives him an age of 27 and he is listed as a farm labourer.
- Walters brothers fought in WW1. James who was wounded and has been discharged. Lance Corpl. Arthur Johnson in the Lincolns, Cyclist H. Johnson, Pte F. Johnson in the Lincolns and W Johnson.
- Name: Flora Stead
- Date of birth: 1888
- Place of Birth: Wittering, Northamptonshire, England
- Date of Marriage: 25 May 1915
- Place of Marriage: Thurlby, Lincolnshire
Children
- John Frederick Carrington, 1916, Billingborough
- Father: John Stead
- Mother: Jane Archer
Newspaper Mentions
- Lincolnshire Echo Wednesday 18th April 1917
LOCAL CASULTIES
MISSING
LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT
Carrington, 26870 Pte. W. (Billingborough)
- Sheffield Daily Telegraph Wednesday 18th April 1917
MISSING
LINCOLNS
CArrington (26870), W. (Billingborough)
- War Offic Casualty List 18th April 1917
N.C.O.’S and MEN
Missing
Lincolnshire Regiment
Carrington, 26870 Private W. (Billington)
- Grantham Journal Saturday 5th May 1917
BILLINGBOROUGH
KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING:- Another of our brave boys has made the great sacrifice. We refer to Pte Ed. Chapman (Lincolnshire Regiment, T.F.) aged 27, whose father Mr J E Chapman, Crown Hotel, on Saturday received an official telegram stating that his son was dangerously ill aboard suffering from severe gunshot wound in the right thigh. This was followed on Monday by another wire stating that he had succumbed. Pte Chapman was well known and much liked. He assisted his father, the local agent for Messrs Warwicks and Richardsons Ltd., and was at one time secretary of the Town F. C. News has also been received that Pte Fred Harrison, son of Mr H.C. Harrison, corn merchant, has been wounded by shrapnel in the face, arm and leg on April 21st. He was the first to enlist from here, under the late Lord Kitchener’s appeal and joined the Lincolns being transferred to a Machine Gun Corps. In France he has had some hairbreadth escapes. Only a week before he told of the explosion of an ammunition dump while his party were crossing a bridge, which was blown up and he with it but as he cheerily remarked his luck stuck to him and got off with a few bruises and a shaking. He has also had his riffle smashed in his hand by enemy fire and has been blown out of the trenches. His letter is in most cheerful terms and he says he is in a fine hospital on the coast. Mr Philip Harris of Pointon has also heard from his son Pte George Harris (Lincolns) stating that he has been wounded and is now in a hospital at Paisley. A short time ago he received gunshot wound in the leg and was sent to Horbling V.A.D. Hospital, where he made a good recovery. Only a week or two ago news was received that another son Pte Harold Harris (Lincolns) had been wounded in the leg. He is making satisfactory progress. There are two other sons of this family fighting in France. Another local bot – Pte T Dawson (York and Lancaster Regiment), who has been wounded twice previously, has again been disabled. He is a son of Mr Tom Dawson and brother to Mr Edward Dawson, carrier. Mrs Johnson of High Street and her friends are much concerned at the absence of news of her son Pte Walter Carrington (Lincoln Regiment) , who has not been heard of for many week. This is a most patriotic family, for there were six boys in the Army, but one of them (James), who was wounded has been discharged. The others are Lance Corpl. Arthur Johnson (Lincolns), Cyclist H. Johnson, Pte F. Johnson (Lincolns) and W Johnson. Another local boy – Gunner Martin Spencer (R.G.A) has not been heard of for quite a long time and letters addressed to him have been returned.
Military Records
- Available
- These records show that Private Walter Carrington, 26870, 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment was killed in action on 4th March 1917 in the Western European Theatre in France and Flanders.
Pension Records
- Available
Effects
- Wife Florence
Medals
- The British Medal
- The Victory Medal
Memorials
- UK:
- Billingborough, Roll of Honour in Billingborough St Andrews Church
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
- In memory of Private Walter Carrington, 26870, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who died on 4 March 1917, Age 33.
- Son of Mrs Johnson of Horbling, Billingborough, Lincs; husband of Flora Carrington of Castle Bytham, Grantham, Lincs
- Remembered with honour, Thiepval Memorial
- Pier and Face 1 C.
© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials
© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials
Military Service Timeline
Official records on the 22nd December 1917 showed acceptance that he was killed either on or after the 4th March during the operation described.
After Walter’s death the Army would send a form to the next of kin to list the immediate family. This was completed by Flora who was back in Castle Bytham at the time.Listed on that official army is Wife Flora, Son John plus Walter’s 2 step sisters and 3 step brothers, along with his mother Jane Johnson.
Sources
- WW1 Soldier’s Records (www.ancestry.co.uk)
- British Newspaper Archive.
- Fold 3
- Find My Past
- Genealogist
- Forces War Records
- British Army Service Numbers
- War Gratuity Calculator
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- National Archives – Battalion War Diaries
- General Registry Office