| Patrick J Carson was the son of Robert and Lizzie Carson (nee McElhatton). Patrick was born in Belfast on 23rd April 1897.
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| The census shows that by 1901, Patrick’s mother had died. The family had moved to Orritor Street Cookstown to live with Robert’s in-laws, the McElhattons, shortly before his wife died. Patrick’s father, Robert Carson, was a baker. Patrick was 3 years old.
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| Family: Robert Carson, Lizzie Carson, Robert A Carson (born about 1895), Lizzie Carson (born about 1896), Patrick Carson 3 (born 23rd April 1897).
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| The 1911 census records that Robert and his family still lived with his in-laws at Orritor Street Cookstown. Robert was still a baker. Patrick was 14 years old and had left school and was working as a linen weaver. As he is commemorated on the Gunning’s Factory Memorial, it may be assumed that this is where he worked.
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| Patrick enlisted in Omagh with the Army Service Corps as a baker.
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| Patrick also served for a time with the Connaught Rangers, No. 3496.
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| He subsequently joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
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| A report in the local newspaper listed Patrick him as missing in the Balkans since 9th January. This is incorrect and should be 9th December. The report, from February 1916, also states that his family were now living in Church Street, Cookstown.
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| Private Patrick Carson was serving with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 9th December 1915 during a major offensive in the Balkans which cost the Battalion twenty one men.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 12th February 1916
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| Official intimation has reached Cookstown that Private Patrick Carson, Dublin Fusiliers, has been missing in the Balkans since 9th January. He is a son of Mr Robert Carson, Church Street, who joined the Army Service Corps a few months ago as a baker, and whose wife heard from him a few days ago to the effect that he expected to be sent to Salonika at any moment.
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| Private Carson has no known grave and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial in Greece and on Cookstown Cenotaph.
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| The CWGC record Private Patrick Carson as the son of Robert and Lizzie Carson.
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