William Nicol Carson
Born 16 Jul 1916 - Died 8 Oct 1944
- Service number
- 22923 AWMM
- Also known as
- Bill Carson AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- Major/Military AWMM New Zealand Artillery, 5 Field Regiment AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
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- Forenames
- William Nicol AWMM
- Surname
- Carson AWMM
- Ingoa
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- Also known as
- Bill Carson AWMM
- Service number
- 22923 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
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- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 16 Jul 1916 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
- Gisborne, NZPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 24 June 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/william-nicol-carson
- Birth notes
- Son of Alexander John and Mabel Alice CarsonPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 24 June 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/william-nicol-carson
- Address before enlistment
- Unknown AWMM 54 View Road, Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
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- Next of kin
- Mrs W.M. Carson (wife), 82 Clonbern Road, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Pre 27 Aug 1940 AWMM Married AWMM
- husband of Marie Patricia Carson, of Remuera, Auckland,Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 24 June 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/william-nicol-carson
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- 1941 AWMM Crete AWMM
- North Africa AWMM
- Italy AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 22923 AWMM
- Military service
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- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Cross (MC) AWMM
17 Jun 1943 AWMM
The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Carson, William Nicol. (Ref. WO 373/25/92). Military Cross. AWMM - Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
- War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Military Cross (MC) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Warehouseman/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Second Lieutenant AWMM Artillery Reinforcements AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
- WW2
- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Died of wounds, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Major/Military AWMM
New Zealand Artillery, 5 Field Regiment AWMM - Last rank
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Biographical information
- William Carson was the son of Alexander John and Mabel Alice Carson and husband of Marie Patricia Carson, of Remuera, Auckland.
All Black in 1938
Captain John Rutherfurd has written the following tribute to William Carson. 'Bill Carson was a very special friend of mine. We entered camp together in February 1940. He was a double New Zealand representative - All Black and cricket. He had a very distinguished military career, especially in Crete. He was highly respected and very popular.'
Major Carson was wounded on 29 July 1944 at San Michele, south of Florence. He was evacuated but died as a result of his wounds and sickness in October. Carson was taking the newly-appointed commander of F Troop forward to the Observation Post when a shell struck the scout car and killed Lieutenant Graves and Gunner I.H. Henry. (Murphy, W. (1966), p. 623-4)
In W.E. Murphy's account of 2nd Divisional Artillery he records that Bill Carson was a stalwart of the New Zealand Artillery from the earliest days. His actions in Crete are particularly notable.
Lieutenant Carson had charge of a thirty man patrol from Reserve Motor Transport at Galatas. In the area around Cemetery Hill, Wheat Hill and Pink Hill Carson was particularly active with his patrol. On 22 May an incident occurred when Carson and his patrol were moving round to Wheat Hill to counter-attack the enemy. 'There was a beautiful opening for Carson, and I was waiting for him to line his men up before giving him the order to charge, when a most infernal uproar broke out across the valley. Over an open space in the trees near Galatos came running, bounding and yelling like Red Indians, about a hundred Greeks and villagers including women and children, led by Michael Forrester twenty yards ahead. It was too much for the Germans. They turned and ran without hesitation, and we went back to our original positions.'
As the days went by and more pressure was brought to bear Carson's patrol faced increasingly difficult situations. On 25 May for example in trying to hold Pink Hill his patrol moved forward to help stiffen the line. An attack by thirty Stukas weakened the right flank and Carson took his patrol and they stayed in spite of attacks of increasing intensity. The message that 18 Battalion had withdrawn did not reach them because the runner sent to warn them of the retirement was killed on the way. This action at Wheat Hill (in co-operation with Captain Nolan's two platoons of gunners) meant that most of the troops involved were able to make their way back safely through Galatas.
Re-grouping after this fighting Lieutenant-Colonel Gray formed up the survivors of his battalion on the eastern edge of the village. They were joined by other soldiers and instructed to clear the village with bayonets in spite of the fact that the Germans seemed to have machine guns and mortars everywhere. William Carson is reported to have had a broad grin and to have committed himself to the ongoing battle (Davin, D. (1953), p. 312).
Initials W.M. given for next of kin, his wife, on the Nominal Roll.
Maj W. N. Carson, MC, m.i.d.; born NZ 16 Jul 1916; warehouseman; died of wounds 8 Oct 1944. (Source: Davin, D.M. Crete. p.162.)
'F Troop had joined the KDGs on 19 March. On the 22nd it engaged Italians dug in near the Roman Wall and encouraged 43 of them to surrender next day. Moving with C Squadron on the 23rd, the troop supported Free French troops attacking enemy in the hills to the right of NZ Corps. With A Squadron on the 24th the troop engaged many targets at ranges of 3400-5000 yards, but had much trouble clearing crests in very broken country. F Troop did not take part in the barrage on the 26th, but was well forward in the pursuit on 27 March. Then, next day, came the action at Wadi Werteba mentioned in the citation for Captain Carson's MC, in which 700-odd Italians were captured. F Troop did not pass through Gabes on the 29th. The KDGs by-passed the town and, after two or three more fleeting engagements, camped quite near the 4th Field.
By the time F Troop rejoined the regiment on the 30th, it had fired, in the course of its detached role, 1574 rounds of HE and 14 of smoke, using 1454 normal charges and 134 supercharges.' (Source: Murphy, W.E. 2nd New Zealand Divisional Artillery. p. 486.) AWMM
About death
- Death
- 8 Oct 1944 AWMM
Age 28 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
- Died of wounds AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Heliopolis War Cemetery, Egypt AWMM 4.A.16. AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
- By the death of Major W. N. Carson, M.C., reported yesterday, cricket and Rugby football in New Zealand lose one of their most accomplished exponents. Major Carson was of All Black standard in both sports, and was particularly expert in cricket, being one of the younger bats on whom the New Zealand Cricket Council had counted to build the national teams after the war. He was the son of Mrs. Carson and the late Captain A. Carson, and was educated in Gisborne, his father holding the appointment of harbour master here for a number of years. Major Carson attended the Gisborne High School, and there showed the promise that later blossomed into international cricket talent. Later he moved to Auckland, where he was employed in pre-war years, and while still a colt he played in Plunket Shield games and subsequently for New Zealand against other international sides touring England in 1937. He also gained All Black honours in Rugby football, and had a lot of play ahead of him when he .went into the army among the first group of N.Z.E.F. volunteers. He was selected for commissioned rank, and went abroad with the Third Echelon, and suffered a wound during the campaigns of 1941 being "Mentioned in dispatches" in the following year. He was later awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in action and outstanding leadership. Major Carson was wounded in August, for the second time, and there had been good hope of his recovery until recently. His memory will be mourned by his host of friends in this district, and by sportsmen throughout the Dominion. His wife is Mrs. M. P. Carson. Auckland.Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 24 June 2023 - ROLL OR HONOUR
GISBORNE HERALD, VOLUME LXXI, ISSUE 21535, 14 OCTOBER 1944, PAGE 6 - Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
- Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
- Auckland Domain, an Olive Tree (Olea europaea) planted close to the Auckland War Memorial Museum in the grounds of the Auckland Domain commemorates those who fought on Crete in 1941. AWMM
Related objects
Sources
- External links
- Allblacks.com website All Blacks A to Z
http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/atoz.asp?group=A
Sources Used - Davin, D. (1953). Crete. Wellington, Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Cret.html
Sources Used - Henderson, J. (1954). RMT: official history of the 4th and 6th Reserve Mechanical Transport Companies. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Mech.html
Sources Used - Murphy, W. (1966). 2nd New Zealand Divisional Artillery. Wellington, Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Arti.html
Sources Used - Cricket Info.com webite William Carson's cricket career
http://www.cricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/36669.html
Further Reference - Rugby Museum.co.nz rugby profile
http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz/ABProfilee.asp?level1=All_Blacks&Level2=ABC&IDID=134
Further Reference - 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 17 June 1943, p.2760.). Military Cross.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36057/supplements/2760
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Carson, William Nicol. (Ref. WO 373/25/92). Military Cross.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361311
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2208711
Sources Used - Wikidata Entity
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q4908432
Further Reference - Murphy, W. (1966). 2nd New Zealand Divisional Artillery. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Arti.html
Further Reference - Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/5c12/carson-williamPublic - Lynn Charles - Researcher - 26 February 2015 - Military Personnel file, Family Papers
- Allblacks.com website All Blacks A to Z
- References
- Chester, R., McMillan, N. & Palenski, R. (2005). The encyclopedia of New Zealand rugby. Auckland, N.Z.: Hodder Moa. (4th ed.)
- Sutherland, J. (1989). Gallantry awards to New Zealanders in World War Two. Christchurch, N.Z.: Regal Medals.
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 3 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1940 to 31st March, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 3: WW2 75 - Henderson, J. (1954). RMT: official history of the 4th and 6th Reserve Mechanical Transport Companies. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs.
Henderson, J. (1954). p.81-84 - Murphy, W. (1966). 2nd New Zealand Divisional Artillery. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.60, 63, 108, 111, 125-6, 134, 150-1, 346, 486, 488n, 491, 493n, 504, 623-4. - Davin, D. (1953). Crete. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.162-3, 171, 233-4, 266, 306-7, 311-12. - Henderson, J. (1954). RMT: official history of the 4th and 6th Reserve Mechanical Transport Companies. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs.
pp.81, 82, 83-4. - Kidson, A. (1961). Petrol Company. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.128-9, 132. - McClymont, W. (1959). To Greece. Wellington, N.Z.: Department Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
p.334. - Ross, A. (1959). 23 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
p.82. - List of 2NZEF Prisoners of War. 1941-1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2009/8.
- Mason, W.W. (1954) Prisoners of war. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
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