5526: William James Carnie, killed while driving "Musical Box" near Harbonniers

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posted on 2024-01-18, 10:42 authored by Lest We Forget Project Team

William James Carnie was an uncle. He was son of William Alexander Carnie and Mary Carnie (née Wilson). He was born on 29/05/1896 at Broomhill, Kintore, Scotland. He worked on the family farm at Broomhill. His brother, John Carnie, and cousins William Alexander Robertson, James

Charles Robertson and John Cameron Robertson all served in the armed services in the First World War.

Around 1915 William James Carnie enlisted in the Machine Gun Corps and had service number 79347. In 1916 he was transferred to the Royal Tank Corps. In September 1917 he trained on the "Whippet" tank as a driver at Bovington camp. His service number was 201966 and he was a private in the 6th Battalion, Royal Tank Corps.

On 09/08/1918 William was killed while driving "Musical Box" near Harbonniers. There is no grave but he is commemorated on Panel 11, Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. I have letters and postcards sent home by William. The "Musical Box" action was written up in 1940 as a BBC broadcast by Colonel C.B. Arnold who, as a Lieutenant, had commanded it. I hold an original typed script of the broadcast. William's decorations and medals have not been located.

There used to be a William Carnie Memorial Medal presented to the dux of Kintore Public School.

History

Name of contributor(s)

Mr and Mrs G Wood

Subject of the story/individual the object(s) relate to

William James Carnie. Private, Machine Gun Corps and Royal Tank Corps.

Date(s) the event(s) in the story took place

1915-1918 (09/08/1918)

Location(s) where the event(s) in the story took place

Bovington Camp, Dorset. England. Harbonniers, France. Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Object(s)

1. Biography of William James Carnie with photograph of him and photograph of the last William Carnie Memorial Medal presented to the dux of Kintore Public School. 1 image. 2. Chart showing the connections between the Leslie/Robertson/Carnie families and military service. 1 image.