[2] Born in Brisbane, Queensland to Irish parents, Carroll moved to Western Australia while still a child.

He worked as a labourer and railway guard before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force as a private in April 1916.

[3] On 7–12 June 1917 at St. Yves, Belgium, during the Battle of Messines, Private Carroll rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the occupants.

[9] Carroll died on 4 October 1971, at the age of 80, and is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, Western Australia.

On Anzac Day 2018, Carroll and fellow VC recipient Thomas Axford, were honoured with a paver on the Walk of Fame in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.