CARSON, Robert

Major, 139th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
Died: 24/08/1916
Age: 37

Interred in Martinsart British Cemetery
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

Robert was born in Craigavad on 6th April 1879. He was the second son of William Carson, a solicitor (later a clerk of the peace for the city of Belfast) and his wife Isabella Carson (nee Major).

Educated at Campbell College, Belfast (1894-1896) and Trinity College, Dublin, Robert went to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, from were he went to the Royal Regiment of Artillery with the rank of Second Lieutenant on 26th May 1900.

He was a member of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, and also played for the 2nd XV. of the North of Ireland Football Club.

Robert spent eight years serving in India and on 24th January 1902, he married Helen Beatrice Heyworth, of Liverpool, in St. Thomas' parish church, Bombay.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 11th February 1902, and then Captain on 26th May 1913.

Robert was at a home station on the outbreak of the war and went to France almost immediately. He was mentioned in despatches in late 1915 and promoted Major on 30th December 1915.

He died after having left his dugout during a heavy bombardment, on 24th August 1916, to check that the men of his company were safely under cover.

CARSON – August 24, killed in action, Robert Carson, Major, Royal Garrison Artillery, the dearly-loved husband of Helen Beatrice Carson, Bredon, near Tewkesbury.

Liverpool Echo, 7th September 1916