Also Served: William Sebastian Carrier - William Sebastian CARRIER
Yates Court, Prescot Sgt 8426, 11th Bn., King 
(Later Sjt 35010, 7th Bn., Border Regiment)
Born in Huyton on 20th January 1885, Bill was the eldest son of Samuel and Mary Carrier. At the time of the 1901 census, the family lived in De Silva Street, Huyton, Bill, aged 16, being employed as a General Labourer. By the time of the 1911 census, Bill was aged 26 and was a Professional Footballer. He lived as a Boarder in Small Heath, Birmingham and played for Birmingham City.
He only played a small number of games for them before moving into the minor leagues. However it appears that Bill was chosen to play for Wales, after living there as a youngster, only for the Welsh FA to find out that he was English and withdrawing the offer!
In between the two census entries, Bill signed up as a regular soldier with the King's (Liverpool) Regiment. His number of 8426 suggests a 1903 enlistment, though it's hard to be certain of the actual date. With the King's, Bill served on the North West Frontier before the Great War and then went to France on 19th May 1915 as part of the 11th Battalion.
An article in the Prescot Reporter in 1915 gives us an indication of action in which he was involved.
The Prescot Reporter. Friday July 30th 1915. page 5
German Spy
Captured by Prescotian
Beginning To Feel The Pressure
A Prescot soldier named Sergeant W Carrier of the Kings Liverpool Regiment recently had the honour of capturing a German spy, who was attired in the uniform of a British Officer and for this he received special acknowledgement at the hands of his superior officers.
He relates the incident very briefly in a letter to his wife at Yates Street, Prescot in the following terms, 'There is nothing in this place except soldiers, German spies and no drink. I had the pleasure of capturing a German spy, who represented himself to be an English Captain the other day, and there are plenty of others but we will soon have them all. According to what has just happened I am lucky indeed for a piece of shrapnel just missed me by inches. It was about the size of a matchbox and it put me on my tiptoes for a few minutes but I did not hesitate to pick it up although it was red hot. The Germans will not last long. They are beginning to feel the pressure now, and the Germans are only keeping their soldiers together by telling them that London is no more and that England is in Panic'.
On an unknown date, Bill transferred to the 7th Battalion of the Border Regiment.
Bill's service entitled him to the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
After the war, Bill moved to Jersey where he served as a Prison Officer until the Channel Islands were invaded early in the Second World War. In a book about the famous British double agent Eddie Chapman, it was reported that Chapman said, 'I remember a fine old chap called Bill Carrier, who was an ex-professional footballer who had played for several first division teams in Britain. He barely concealed his contempt for the Germans. When they came on a visit he would dourly touch his cap to their commander and only just obey their orders. But as soon as the Nazi had turned his back he would wink at us and give the V-sign'.
The picture of Bill, shown above, is taken from his Jersey Identify Card, a full copy of which is shown below.
Bill Carried died in Jersey in 1964, aged 79. He was buried in the graveyard at St Clements Parish Church on 11th November of that year.
Bill's sister, Agnes, married Cornelius Mainwaring
(Additional information provided by Cliff Lowton)
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