George W. Carr

 Private George W. Carr

When researching the men of Swansea who served in the First World War, the amount of information that survives can vary greatly. For some, the historical record is rich, with census returns, newspaper reports, attestation papers, and family details painting a clear picture of their lives before the war and the circumstances of their service. For others, the available evidence is more limited, leaving only glimpses of their story through official military records or brief notices in the press.

On rare occasions, however, there are men whose names survive only on memorials and casualty lists, with no other surviving personal records to shed light on who they were. George W. Carr appears to be one such case. Beyond his name and the knowledge that he gave his life in the Great War, little else is known. His presence on the St. Paul’s Church war memorial, Sketty, stands as the only enduring trace of his sacrifice.