Grenadier Guards (3rd Battalion) Service No. 21193
Son of John William Carter and Hannah Garlick
First man in Kippax to be awarded the Military Medal (below)
Died 16th October 1918, aged 30
Story
On the 1st August 1915, it was reported that recruitment for the army was going slowly in Kippax, but over 100 men had enlisted, including three sons of John William Carter, a farmer, living on Kippax High Street. They were Wilfred, Herbert and Abraham Carter. Before joining the army in 1914, Private Abraham Carter worked at the new Silkstone and Haigh Moor Collieries.
Abraham left Dover for Le Havre, France on 27th May 1915. He won the Military Medal by taking part in a bombing expedition in September 1916. A party of men were sent out to clear a German trench and were successful, though the whole party were wounded. The Germans then attempted to regain the trench. Private Carter held the trench single-handed until reinforcements arrived. He was twice wounded during the war.
Whilst on leave in Kippax in May 1917, his bravery was celebrated by the village. The local band played him through the streets, and at a concert later in the evening he received a gold lever watch from the President of the Kippax Soldiers and Sailors Comforts Club, George Peace Walker, which was inscribed: “Presented to Private A. Carter, of the Grenadier Guards, by the Kippax Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Comforts Fund for conspicuous bravery on the battlefield Sept. 15th 1916”. Private Carter had a warm reception and thanked the committee for their kindness, before the Band played the National Anthem. Mr. Walker stated that Abe had been a member of the Parish Church Choir in his youth, and the life he had lived had developed his moral character, and it was in this way that such heroes were made. Mr. Walker added that Private Carter was one of their own village lads and had brought honour to Kippax. The distinction he had received and the bravery he had shown should live long in the memory of those who were present, and he hoped Abe might be long spared to wear the watch. Private Carter thanked the committee and his audience, and simply stated that he had only done his duty.
Private Carter was killed in France 17 months later. The Grenadier Guards 3rd Battalion War Diaries on the day Private Carter died read:
| 16 Oct 1918 | 0330 Heavy barrage put down by enemy as on previous day. 0630 Front Coy reported enemy massing on ST PYTHON-HAUSSY ROAD. 0745 Front Coy reported enemy digging on ST PYTHON-HAUSSY ROAD. 0830 An artillery shoot was arranged on the ST PYTHON-HAUSSY ROAD for 2 hours from 1100 hours. Platoons E. of the River withdrawn to the MILL. 1110 Artillery shot short and was stopped firing. Casualties 1 O.R. Killed 4 O.R. Wounded. |
The diary entries would indicate that Private Carter was killed by friendly fire. He was buried at Deisaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, Pas-de-Calais, France (below).
On 17th October 1919, Abe’s brother Herbert Carter (1891-1971) wrote an In Memoriam notice: “In loving memory of our dear brother, A. Carter (Grenadier Guards), who was killed in action October 16th, 1918, ‘In gathering strife, in deadly charge; Midst storm and shot and shell, / God was beside him while he fought / And near him when he fell.’ From his brother and sister-in-law, Herbert and Emma.”
Kippax Roll of Honour 