Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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D/JX 158782   Telegraphist Edward Henry Sidney Carson
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 27/12/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: HM Submarine Usurper, Royal Navy (British Navy)
Died: 12/10/1943 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
Edward Henry Sidney Carson was the son of William J and Olive V M Carson. He was born about 1923. Edward Carson served with the Royal Navy in WW2 on H.M. Submarine Usurper as a Telegraphist. On 3rd October 1943 HMS Usurper, a ‘U’ class submarine, was in the gulf of Genoa off the coast of Algeria when all contact with it was lost. HMS Usurper was sunk by a mine. Telegraphist Edward H S Carson was 20 years old.
Telegraphist Edward Henry Sidney Carson
Further Information
Edward Henry Sidney Carson was the son of William J and Olive V M Carson. He was born about 1923.
William Carson was a constable in the local police, based in Ballyronan.
Known family: William J Carson, Olive V M Carson, Edward Henry Sidney Carson (born about 1923).
Edward Carson joined the Royal Navy about 1938.
Edward was on board H.M. Aircraft Carrier Illustrious when she sailed to America.
On his return he was attached to the wireless station in Londonderry.
From there he went to a submarine sailing depot.
Later in 1942, he was off the coast of Norway.
In October 1943 he was based in Algiers when his parents received information that he was missing.
Edward Carson was serving on H.M. Submarine Usurper as a Telegraphist.
HMS Usurper
On 3rd October 1943 HMS Usurper, a ‘U’ class submarine, was in the gulf of Genoa off the coast of Algeria when all contact with it was lost.
HMS Usurper was posted missing, presumed lost, with all hands on 12th October 1943.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th October 1943: Ballyronan Man Missing
Mr and Mrs W J Carson of Ballyronan have been informed officially that their son, Telegraphist Edward H S Carson, is missing. He joined the royal Navy five years ago, served in the Illustrious, and transferred later to another ship. A brother is serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
It was not until October 1944 that official news of his death was received from the Admiralty that Edward Henry Sidney Carson had lost his life on H.M. Submarine Usurper.
Telegraphist Edward H S Carson was 20 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th October 1944: Ballyronan
Constable Carson, of Ballyronan, has received official information from the Admiralty that his son, Edward Henry Sidney Carson, had lost his life on H.M. Submarine Usurper. A young man of twenty years of age, he joined the Navy six years ago, and was on H.M. Aircraft Carrier Illustrious when she sailed to America. On his return he was attached to the wireless station in Londonderry. From there he went to a submarine sailing depot, and later, in 1942, he was off the coast of Norway. His last port of call was Algiers, and in October 1943, his parents received information that he was missing. It was not until a few weeks ago that official news of his death was received. Constable Carson has another son, aged 20 years, serving in the Royal Army Service Corps.
It was believed for many years that the submarine had been sunk by depth charges after being attacked by the German anti-submarine vessel, UJ-2208/Alfred.
However it is now believed that it was sunk by a mine. Uboat.net have surmised that this was the most likely explanation based on their research. Recent news that the wreck of HMS Usurper has been found along with six other submarines seems to support this explanation.
Telegraphist Edward Carson has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 81 of Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Panel 81 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Edward Carson had another brother, born about 1924, who served in the Royal Army Service Corps. He survived the war.
In June 2019, HMS Usurper was sonar-located off Tabarka, Tunisia.
The CWGC record Telegraphist Edward Henry Sidney Carson as the son of William J and Olive V M Carson, of Ballyronan, County Londonderry.
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Ballyronan Loop-Ballyronan CWGC lists parents in Ballyronan 54.710689 -6.540553
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 Daily Express Diver uncovers six submarines including Usurper
2 National Archives UK (1) Presumption of death - HM Submarine Usurper
3 National Archives UK (2) HMS Usurper: 12 October 1943; submarine overdue
4 Plymouth War Memorial Edward Carson is commemorated on Panel 81
5 uboat.net - HMS Usurper HMS Usurper sunk by mine
6 Wikipedia HMS Usurper
7 wrecksite.eu Brief details of Edward Carson
8 Youtube - WW2 Wrecks off Tunisia Presentation on the submarines sunk off Tabarka, Tunisia
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023