WILLIAM BRIAN CARRINGTON
William is not remembered on the war memorial at Christchurch Park.
Born: 18th July 1926, Ipswich.
Died: 16th June 1946; age 19; William died on the operating table at a military hospital in Palestine, after he was attacked, shot through the head, and stabbed.
Extra help and information courtesy of Mark of the – Intelligence Corps – The Soldier Behind The Medals – www.facebook.com/1466925213613825/
On the 16th June 1946, Corporal William Carrington was returning to his billet at Gaza when he came upon an Arab crowd celebrating the escape of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem from France to the Middle East. Just minutes earlier, an army truck had driven into the crowd, hitting at least one person. The crowd responded by attacking the vehicle and its two occupants, killing the passenger and then chasing the driver, who tried to make his escape. William, with great gallantry, immediately went to the driver’s assistance. In doing so, he was himself attacked, shot through the head, and later stabbed. Unconscious, he was rushed to a military hospital but died on the operating table.
The passenger and driver of the truck, who were killed that same day, were probably Staff Sergeant Leslie Wignall, aged 36 and Driver George Wilkinson, aged 19.
Residence: 16, Westbury Road, Ipswich.
William enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment on the 14th September 1944, aged 18. On the 20th March 1946, he was transferred to the Intelligence Corps. On the 17th April, he embarked for the Middle East and joined No. 252 Field Security Section on the 5th May.
Rank: Corporal; Service Number: 14847022.
Regiment: Intelligence Corps, No. 252 Field Security Section.
Grave Reference:
7.H.6.
Ramla,
Israel.
Relatives Notified & Address: Only son of William Resker Carrington & Freida Gwendoline Carrington, of 16, Westbury Road, Ipswich.
Father: William Resker Carrington, born September 1876, Ipswich – died 1945, Ipswich – a brewer’s clerk.
Mother: Freida Gwendoline Carrington (nee Miller), born September 1897, Beckenham, Kent.
William was educated at Ipswich School.
Probate to Freida Gwendoline Carrington – mother.
William is remembered on the war memorial at St. Andrew’s Church, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk, and on the Chapel war memorial at Ipswich School.
One Comment
There but for the grace….. William must have been very close to my father’s age, so 11 days before we all remember 100 years since WWI ended, I cannot help but think that bad luck of the draw saw this young man’s life ended, whereas my dad returned from a different part of the world in 1947. It would be good if in time someone related to William will add their thoughts, but mine are just what seeing him remembered related to how grateful I am to him and others who made the ultimate sacrifice. As long as I am here I will join in the nation’s recognition every year.