Scarr, Joseph Michael

Private

No. 16447, 9^th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers

Died of disease on Sunday 30 July 1916 (aged 20)

Buried:

Edinburgh (Comely Bank) Cemetery, Scotland (Grave D. 27)

Commemorated:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

BIOGRAPHY

The information about this casualty that is recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Website has been updated:

• Previously it was recorded that he was 40 when he died, he was a son of Joseph and Harriet Scarr of 23 Mark Street Newtownards and he was born at Downham Market, Norfolk.
• Currently it is recorded that he was 20 when he died and he was a son of Joseph and the late Jane Scarr of Benfieldside, Co Durham.

In the old Imperial War Graves Commission Headstone Schedule, the name and address of his next-of-kin is recorded as Mr J. Scarr, 23 Mark Street, Newtownards, Co Down.

In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Private Joseph Michael Scarr (No. 16447) was born in Dipton, Co. Durham and lived in Blackhill, Co Durham.

Joseph Michael Scarr enlisted in Consett, Co Durham and he served with the 9^th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers.

In the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Website it is recorded that Private Joseph Michael Scarr (No. 16447) died on 30 July 1916 and was buried in Edinburgh (Comely Bank) Cemetery, Scotland.

Private Joseph Michael Scarr (No. 16447) has two separate entries in the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects:

• Died on 30 July 1916; next-of-kin details, his father Joseph Scarr.
• Died on 30 August 1916; next-of-kin details, his father Joseph Scarr and his brother-in-law James T. Price.

On his death certificate it is recorded that Private Joseph Michael Scarr (No. 16447) died of nephritis in the Military Hospital at Craigleith in Edinburgh on 30 July 1916 (aged 20).  He was single, a coal miner and his usual residence was 17 Benfieldside, Hedge Road, Blackhill, Co Durham.  His father was Joseph Scarr, a coal miner and his mother was Jane Scarr (nee O’Brien), deceased.  The informant was his brother-in-law, James Price, who lived at 1 Prospect Terrace, Blackhill, Co Durham.