Francis Charles Carter

Francis Charles Carter was the son of Captain H Lee Carter. He was commissioned in the 5th Foot [later the Northumberland Fusiliers] on 11 May 1878. He saw active service with his battalion in the Afghan War (1878-80) and was later District Staff Officer/DAAG Bengal (November 1889-June 1894). He transferred to the Royal Berkshire Regiment on 17 October 1894, seeing more action in the Hazara Expeditions (1888; 1891) and the Lushai expedition (1889). Carter became CO 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment in April 1899 at the early age of 41.

He completed the normal four-year tour as a battalion commander and then, as was often the case in the pre-war army (especially for someone who had not passed Staff College), his career stalled. He was on half-pay for more than three years (April 1903-August 1906) before being appointed Brigadier-General Commanding a Sub-District, South Africa, a post he held until April 1909. He was made CB in 1908.

On his return from South Africa he was given command of 16th Brigade in Ireland. When this appointment expired in May 1912 he retired from the army. But this was not the end of his military career, though perhaps it should have been. Carter was ‘dug out’ of retirement in September 1914, at the age of 56, to command 24th Brigade, part of the new 8th Division then being assembled from Regular troops brought back from Imperial garrison duties.

Carter commanded 24th Brigade until 17 March 1915 when he fell ill a few days after 8th Division’s first big battle at Neuve Chapelle.