Sgt Henry Carse Crawley, killed at Isandlwana?

Posts : 303 Join date : 2011-10-18 Location : Cornwall

From The Shields Daily Gazette And Shipping Telegraph
Tuesday January 9 1900:

Blyth and the Zulu War of 1879

"Now that we are being treated to so much information about the present Transvaal War, and the courage of local men offering to go to the front, it may be interesting to recall that in many of England's famous battles Blyth has contributed a quota of fighting men. For instance, the death-roll of the Insandula massacre in 1879 included the name of a Blyth man, Henry Carse Crawley, aged 23. The deceased was born at Blyth, but spent the greater part of his short life on Tyneside.

He worked successively at Harton, Wardley, and Hebburn Collieries, and while at the latter place became attached to the volunteer corps of the Jarrow Engineers as a member of the band. Subsequently he joined the Gateshead police force, and was also one of the instrumentalists of the band.

Only two years or so before his death he enlisted, and accompanied his regiment to South Africa, where his brave and soldier-like conduct gained for him promotion to the rank of sergeant. He perished with the gallant 24th regiment on the fatal 22nd of January.-Sergeant Carse Crawley was a fine soldier-like young fellow."

It appears at first glance that this article relates to 25B/927 Sergeant Henry CARSE, who, according to The Noble 24th was killed in action at Isandlwana whilst serving with G Coy 2/24th (having enlisted 30/07/1876).

I'd be interested to know whether anyone has further information on this individual i.e. the apparent link to the surname of Crawley or other family details...

I've had a look at the 'FreeBMD' website and couldn't find a birth for 'Henry Carse Crawley', but did find one for a Henry Crawley in the Tynemouth district (which included Blyth) in the June quarter of 1855; if the age of death given in the article (23) is correct, my questionable maths would confirm that this potentially fits the bill. In addition, the inference that 25B/927 enlisted "only two years or so before his death" also seems to match.

One final point, it's interesting to note that although Henry Carse Crawley seems to have had a musical background, the fact that he apparently served with G Company, would, I presume, rule him out as being a bandsman?

As ever, any further information/observations would be most welcome!

Regards,

Tim

Hi,

There was a Henry Crawley born (as you say) in Tyneside, who was miner aged 15 (1871 census), his mother (Jane) was a widow.

I will try to find out if any of Henry's Grandparents was a 'Carse' - it was quite common to give children a middle name from a family surname, and he could have enlisted under that name.

Interestingly a Henry Crawley was bound over in 1870 for rioting in the area.....

Cheers

simon

Posts : 303 Join date : 2011-10-18 Location : Cornwall

Good afternoon Simon,

Many thanks, grateful for any information.

Regards,

Tim

Hi Tim

John Crawley married Jane CARSS in Northumberland in 1849

Henry's Crawley's father was John and his mother was Jane, so I think that Henry was given the middle name Carse/Carss after his mothers maiden name.

Carse/Carss is not an uncommon name in the Tynemouth area

Thanks

Simon

Posts : 303 Join date : 2011-10-18 Location : Cornwall

Simon,

Fantastic work, much appreciated - do you happen to know when/where John or Jane died? I'll see if I can find out any further info regarding Henry's previous service with the Gateshead Police.

Regards,

Tim

Last edited by SRB1965 on Thu Jan 31, 2019 8:24 am; edited 1 time in total

Hi Tim

John Crawley born around 1816 in Ireland (he was a sawyer)
Jane Carss/Carse born around 1820 in Blyth (Tynemouth)

They married in 1849

I believe he died in 1861 - a John Crawley died in the area in that year and Jane was a widow in the 1871 census

I cant find when Jane died, she was still going aged 72 in 1891, living with her 'in laws' the Porteous's (William Porteous married Mary Crawley, her daughter). They lived in or near Jarrow.

Jane had disappeared by 1901.

I will look some more tomorrow.

Thanks

Simon

Hi Tim,

Just found this :-

a Jane Crawley died in 1896 in South Shields (Newcastle) - aged 76

One John Crawley was registered dead in Dec 1861 (age not noted) and another in 1870 (aged 54) both in South Shields.......my money is on the latter one, given his age.......

Ta

Sime

Posts : 303 Join date : 2011-10-18 Location : Cornwall

Thanks for all your help Simon.

Regards,

Tim

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