MATSQUI UNIT 315
Sergeant
Frederick Arthur CARTER
No. 5432, Royal Berkshire Regiment, UK
No. 443964, 54th Infantry Battalion (Kootenay)
In 2024, Nancy donated her great-grandfather's uniform. She did not know anything about his military history. The image shows a proud Nancy learning of her great-grandfather's history for the first time.
Dave Carter
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Service Name
Grand-daughter of Fred CARTER at the Unit's first open house September 2024.
Christine Carter
Grandson of Fred CARTER visiting the Unit on Remembrance Day 2024.
Dave Carter
Sustained injuries from a shell burst in the
'Sugar Trench
Statement of injury
Battle or Courcellet
Painting of the fighting at the Sugar factory.
Frederick (“Fred”) CARTER was born on August 18, 1882, in Eastbury, Berkshire, England.
On September 12, 1898, Fred lied about his age and enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment at the age of 16. His ‘Short Service Attestation’ record states age as: “18 years, 1 month”.
Fred served in Gibraltar and later Egypt during the 2nd South African (Boer) War as a Mounted Rifleman. He was honourably discharged from the Berkshire Regiment on April 12, 1904.
On March 22, 1915, Fred enlisted in the 54th Battalion, CEF, to fight on the battle fields in France.
On October 23, 1916, he was shot in the abdomen and partially buried from an artillery shell burst in the ‘Sugar Trench’, during the ‘Battle of Courcelette’, in France.
On 23 April 1917, Fred was charged with the military offence of “conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline” for being in possession of a pass knowing it was not genuine. He was sentenced to a reduction in rank (Sergeant to Private) and loss of pay.
On August 7, 1917, he suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The bullet remained lodged in his head and caused him considerable pain and discomfort for the rest of his life.
On March 5, 1919, he was honourably discharged from the CEF.
After the war, Fred was a prominent member of the Mt. Lehman Great War Veterans’ Association and an advocate for helping other veterans returning from WW1 and later WW2.
He was a prominent chartered member of Matsqui Unit #315.
Fred’s son, John CARTER, a WW2 veteran, would later complete a term as Matsqui Unit #315 President.
On March 11, 1965, Frederick CARTER died (84). He is buried in the Mt. Lehman cemetery, BC.
Source:
Canadian War Archives
Christine Carter (Grand-daughter)
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