Dennis Carter has kindly sent us an interesting story of his father’s service at Gallipoli.
“My father was born in 1895 and served in the 1914–18 Great War with the 10th London Regiment.
Born in London’s East End life was hard, especially for a lad only 5’4” tall. He was an all-round sportsman, and boxing and running must have helped to keep him out of trouble. He was a 100-yard sprinter and took part in professional racing, which I think was against the law in those days! He boxed mainly in the army and this must have helped him as a sergeant at only 5’4”.
He served in Gallipoli, his regiment fighting alongside the 5th Norfolks on that ill-fated day when most of the Sandringham unit was lost. My family and I have lived in Norfolk for over 40 years now and this holds a special interest for me.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal [DCM] for bravery in Palestine. His citation (detailed below) was published in the London Gazette on 3rd September 1918.
Despite being wounded in the leg and being hospitalised in Roehampton for some time he was very fit. His party trick was to walk on his hands around the room, which he was able to do until he was nearly 80! He was aged 92 when he died.
His main occupation was as a french polisher.
A sad event in the early days was his brother being killed in action in the Great War. Subsequently my father married his brother’s fiancee (my mother Dorothy).”
THE LONDON GAZETTE: 3 SEPTEMBER 1918
420077 Sjt. F.J Carter, Lond. R. (Shoreditch)
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while commanding a platoon in an attack on a village. He observed an enemy machine-gun about to open fire, dashed forward, followed by his men, and captured the gun and gunners. His prompt and courageous action saved many casualties.
