BORN – Walsall
HOMEFRONT – Place / Occupation / Oswestry School / WMNorfolkCC Teachers
EDUCATION – Oswestry Grammar School
JOB – Teacher
UNIT – 56 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.
RANK – Private 72682
THEATRE – Ypres / Third Ypres / Poelcapelle 56 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. 19-22 Oct 1917.
DIED – KIA 22 October 1917. Aged 25.
COMMEMORATED – Tyne Cot Memorial (grave unknown). (CWGC)
Francis Harold Carless was originally from Walsall and was born in 1892. His father, Frederick, was a shoe and boot dealer but by 1911 was working as a currier or leather worker. His mother was called Ada. He was the eldest of 4 children with siblings Ernest, Maggie and Stanley. By 1911 the family had moved to Oswestry and lived at 45 Park Avenue. His early education was at Oswestry Council School, later he won a scholarship to Oswestry Grammar School where he won many school prizes. After school he trained as a teacher and worked for Salop County Council as a master at Gobowen Council School. He was also actively connected with the work of the Salvation Army and other religious bodies in the district. He later moved to Fakenham in Norfolk to take up a teaching appointment. He enlisted at Norwich in October 1915, joining the Royal Army Medical Corps and went over to France in August 1916 as a reinforcement posted to 60 Field Ambulance.
Francis was wounded twice, the first time being in September 1916, when he was hit in the arm, back and head. He spent a month at Rouen Base Hospital. On returning to duty he was posted to 56 Field Ambulance, attached to 18 Division. He was wounded for a second time in July 1917 but not so serious that he soon returned to duty. He was killed in action on 22 October 1917 probably serving as a stretcher bearer in the front line during Third Ypres. His unit were operating in the area around Langemark and Poelcapelle. His body was lost and he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. His personal property was returned to his father who now lived at Bridge Terrace, Whittington Road. Among his effects were a Welsh New Testament and a Bible as well as French/English and Welsh/English Dictionaries. Francis is also commemorated on the Norfolk Teachers War Memorial at County Hall in Norwich and at Oswestry Grammar School.
Given Harold’s apparent religiousness, involvement with the Salvation Army and his enlisting in the RAMC, a non combat unit, suggests he was a Conscientious Objector willing to serve but not in a combat role.
Acknowledgements.
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