Background
Carless was born in 1896 to John Thomas and Elizabeth Carless, of 31 Tasker Street, Walsall, Staffordshire (now in the West Midlands).
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John Carless
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Career
In mid-November 1917 British ships battled German forces in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight (off Germany"s north coast). During the action Seaman Carless took a terrible shrapnel wound to the stomach but kept loading his gun, and encouraged his colleagues to do likewise. Once relieved, he collapsed and died.
He was buried at sea the following day.
In June 1918, Carless" parents received his posthumous from King George V.
The Walsall public raised money for the erection of a memorial. A bronze bust was created by Mr.
R.J. Emerson of Wolverhampton, and mounted on a large plinth of Portland stone, outside (at 52585906°North 1979087°West / 52585906. -1979087), Lichfield Street.
On 20 February 1920 it was unveiled by Admiral Sir Walter Cowan, whose flagship had been HMS Caledon, and the ship"s white ensign was presented to Walsall"s mayor at the time.
The museum has a display on Carless, including a replica of his (the original, bequeathed to the people of Walsall in 1986, is held in store, for security reasons), the ship"s name-band from his uniform cap, and an oil portrait, commissioned by the Walsall Services Memorial Club. Three thoroughfares in Walsall commemorate John Carless’ bravery - Carless Street, in Caldmore, not far from where he was born, along with Caledon Street and Caledon Place in Pleck.
Achievements
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He died when he was 21 years old, and an Ordinary Seaman in the Royal Navy during World War I. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant actions on 17 November 1917 aboard HMS Caledon at the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, Germany, which led to his death. In December 2009, a memorial plaque to Carless and two other recipients of the Victoria Cross, James Thompson and Charles George Bonner, was unveiled at Walsall Town Hall, Leicester Street.
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Born
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Died
November 17, 1917 (aged 21) -
Nationality
United Kingdom
Awards
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Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross () is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.The Victoria Cross () is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.