James Carr

Roll of Irish Brigade in Zossen confirms the correct man and service no. He was a carpenter before enlisting and is fingered by Private F Byrne of 2nd South Lancs in a POW interview, who states that Carr a South Lancs man joined the Irish Brigade. And Keogh gives him as James Carr from Belfast. McDonagh cites him as an Orangemen from Belfast who murdered Sweeney. Mahony confirms South Lancs. This is definitely him. He did not volunteer for Egypt with the Irish Brigade. However after the war he was involved in the death of Patrick Sweeney , who was reported to have been "stabbed by Private Carr of the South Lancashire Regiment" on 21 Feb 1919 at Tutzing near Munich. Mahony also records how Carr of South Lancs murdered Sweeney over a quarrel about money. Carr was arrested, but there the tale stops, and I have no idea what happened as a result of this arrest or even who arrested him.

1893 Jul 10. Born Belfast

1901 census - the only family that fits is the above. They are living in Dunmore St, Falls Rd area of Belfast. In addition the roll book gives him as a carpenter. His 1916 information in Germany confirms Dunmore St. So I am confident that this is the right family

1911-census

1911 census has the same family living in Dunmore St in Falls Rd area of Belfast. Nothing obvious for him in 1911 Census under Overseas Military

1913 Dec. James Carr, 10063, 2/SLR - issued in December 1913

1914 Aug 14. Lands in France

1914 Taken prisoner, and followed the rest of the Irish Brigade through Limburg, Zossen and Danzig

1915 Oct 25. In answer to a question, gave his Ireland address as Dunmore St, Belfast, which confirms that we have the correct family in the census.

Carr and Barnacle did not like Keogh. They write to Zerhusen warning him that Keogh is collecting signatures to try to get Zerhusen removed as interpreter for the Irish Brigade

1918 Apr 28. Zerhusen reports men working at Stolp included - Barnacle (unpunished) and J Carr (only once punished because he had been "induced by O'Toole" )

1919 He stabs John Sweeney in a fight in Tutzing, about 25 miles SW of Munich. Both Keogh and the British Army agree that Patrick Sweeney was killed near Munich. The report of him being stabbed appears to be correct, as it has corroborating evidence. Kurt Eisner, the first prime minister of the Bavarian Republic, was assassinated on 21 February 1919 in Munich, shortly before he was going to hand in his own resignation from office.

Mahony's testemony

Mahony's testemony on the murder of Sweeney

deah of sweeney

O'Toole believed that Carr returned home

Irish Brigade Recruits