Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An extremely poignant family group to the Carter brothers:

Three: Private H. Carter, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Somme on 1 July 1916

1914-15 Star (1701 Pte., R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1701 Pte., R. War. R.), with related Memorial Plaque (Harold Carter), extremely fine

Three: Private P. Carter, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was killed in action near Poelcapelle on 12 October 1917

1914-15 Star (9991 Pte., R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9991 Pte., R. War. R.), with related Memorial Plaque (Percy Carter), extremely fine

Three: Sergeant J. Carter, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was killed in action near Vendegies-sur-Ecaillon on 2 November 1918

1914-15 Star (9990 Pte., R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9990 Sjt., R. War. R.), with related Memorial Plaque (John Carter), extremely fine (12) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties formed by Tim Parsons.

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Harold Carter was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Carter of 2, George Street, Stockton, Rugby. He was killed in action on the Somme on 1 July 1916, while serving in the 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which unit had been charged with holding support positions in the sunken Beaumont-Serre road just outside of Auchonvillers.

His local parish magazine was able to report that ‘he died instantaneously from a bullet wound in the head when engaged in advanced patrol duty. He had just bound up his officer’s wounded hand when he met his death. He was a cheery, brave man who knew no fear, and was liked by every one. His officer’s letter to Mrs. Carter gives the highest praise and shows how much he was esteemed.’ The same source had earlier reported that he was ‘a cheery optimist who gave the Rector a gas helmet much prized as a souvenir’ when last home on leave. Harold Carter is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial; sold with photographs of the relevant panel.

Percy Carter was the middle son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Carter. He was killed in action near Poelcapelle on 12 February 1917, while serving in the 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Contemporary sources state:

‘On 12 October [1917] the 1st Royal Warwickshire in their turn attacked. Advancing in good order, and, thanks to an efficient barrage, with slight casualties, they captured Landing Farm, Water House, Besace Farm and Bower House with little resistance. Then they were held up by enfilading fire from Racquete Farm, which the Household Battalion on the right could not capture, since they in their turn were enfiladed from the Brewery. Both the ground and the weather were adverse but our men maintained their positions and dispersed a threatened counter-attack, the Royal Warwickshire being in touch with the 17th Division on the left. The bad weather prevented relief till 13 October. The total casualties in the Royal Warwickshire were 116.’

His local parish magazine reported that his death ‘had aroused the deepest sympathy in the parish. He enlisted in the Warwicks in January 1915 and was killed in action on 12 October [1917], having been wounded five times before he met his death at the age of 22. He was a cheerful lad and knew no fear. May he rest in peace. This is the second son Mrs. Carter has lost’

Percy Carter is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium; sold with photographs of the relevant panel.

John Carter was the youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. J. Carter. He was killed in action in the vicinity of Vendegies-sur-Ecaillon on 2 November 1918, while serving in the 1/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

His local parish magazine had the horrendous duty of reporting the death of the Mr. and Mrs. J. Carter’s last surviving son: ‘We are deeply moved that Mr. and Mrs. Carter should receive the tidings of the loss of a third son just before hostilities ceased. Sergeant John Carter was a general favourite and a really good lad. His officers write in the highest terms of him, the Colonel himself sending Mrs. Carter a splendid letter. May he rest in peace. Every one in the village sympathises with the family on whom the War has laid such a heavy hand.’

The same source had previously reported in November 1916 that he had been wounded; in May 1917 that he had been awarded a ‘silver medal in a bomb throwing competition’; and in November of the same year that he had again been wounded, ‘but to what extent is not known yet’ (actually verified in the December issue as ‘a gunshot wound in the thigh’).

John Carter is interred in Crucifix Cemetery, Vendegies-sur-Ecaillon, France; sold with photographs of his headstone.