Herbert Augustine Carter

Lieutenant, Mounted Infantry, Indian Army

VC
Register No.
189 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
Unit
Mounted Infantry, Indian Army (register: Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry) all Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry VCs →
Date of action
19 December 1903 on this day → all of 1903 →
Conflict / campaign
Fourth Somaliland Expedition
London Gazette
9th December 1904 on this day → all of 1904 →
Born
26th May 1874 in Exeter
Died
13th January 1916 at Mwelo Mdogo, East Africa
Memorial / grave
St Erth Churchyard, Cornwall, in York Minster and in Bodmin Parish Church

Digest of citation

On 19th December 1903 during a reconnaissance at Jidballi, Somaliland, when two sections were retiring before a force of Dervishes who outnumbered them by 30-1, Lieutenant Carter rode back alone, a distance of 400 yards, to the assistance of a private who had lost his horse and was closely pursued by a number of the enemy. The man was so badly wounded that it took three attempts to get him onto the horse

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

CARTER, Herbert Augustine. (reg No. 189).

Lieutenant. Mounted Infantry, Indian Army.

London Gazetted on 9th December 1904.

Born on 26th May 1874 in Exeter.

Died on 13th January 1916 at Mwelo Mdogo, East Africa.

Memorials at St Erth Churchyard, Cornwall, in York Minster and in Bodmin Parish Church.

Digest of Citation reads: On 19th December 1903 during a reconnaissance at Jidballi, Somaliland, when two sections were retiring before a force of Dervishes who outnumbered them by 30-1, Lieutenant Carter rode back alone, a distance of 400 yards, to the assistance of a private who had lost his horse and was closely pursued by a number of the enemy. The man was so badly wounded that it took three attempts to get him onto the horse.

Additional information: He attained rank of Major and also served in the First World War from 1914-1916.

Additional information

He attained rank of Major and also served in the First World War from 1914-1916.

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: St Erth Churchyard, Cornwall, in York Minster and in Bodmin Parish Church

Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.

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