Augustus Leo's Story.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Carty, of 24, Falkland Road, Wallasey.
Augustus arrived in France 7th July 1915, he was killed in action three months later, the war diary for the period gives a little information, the battalion moved into the line near to Carnoy on 24th September, for 1st October it reads "Battalion in trenches. Enemy unusually active with sniping and light guns. Casualties O.R. 2 killed, 1 wounded."
The local paper indicated that Augustus was killed during a “big advance” however at the time the battalion were in the trenches and no attacks were made, another soldier Henry Salt from Stockport was also killed also by a sniper on the same day.
Chronicle News
"Died Like A Soldier"
"He died like a soldier, doing his duty." This glorious tribute to a fallen comrade is contained in a letter which Company Quartermaster Sergeant H. Walton, of the 3rd Cheshire’s, had addressed to Mr. and Mrs. J. Carty, of 24, Falkland Road, Egremont, informing them of the death of their son, Corporal Augustine Leo Carty. No mention is made as to when he was killed, but it is presumed that he was taking part in the big advance of a fortnight ago. He was shot in the head and died instantly.
When war was declared young Carty, who was then only seventeen years of age, was employed as a clerk in the Canadian Grand Trunk Steamship Company's offices. This position he very soon gave up in order to join the Special Reserve of the regular Cheshire Regiment (the 3rd Battalion). After spending several months training in Wirral, he was sent out with a draft to the 1st Battalion. He was a particularly smart soldier, and rapidly gained promotion, first to lance-corporal, and later he gained his second stripe. In France he showed that same determination and had a promising career before him.
A Sympathetic Letter
In the letter referred to above the writer stated that since Corporal Carty's death, a parcel of food had been received from home, and this had been distributed amongst his comrades. The message proceeded: -
"Please accept my deepest sympathy in your sad loss. Corporal Carty belonged to my company ("D" Company), and I had the greatest respect for him ever since he joined the company. He was very willing and obliging, and would have made a way for himself had he only been spared to do so but he has been taken away from us, as I have seen many hundreds of my company taken before him.
"He is buried in a quiet spot behind the firing line and a cross is erected over his grave. This I pass very often and stop to have a look at it. He died like a soldier, doing his duty. I may also add that he was killed outright. He did not suffer any pain."
The late Corporal Carty was an old Xaverian, and was a popular member of St. Alban's Church, Liscard. His brother is in the Army.