Nelson Victor Carter VC (6 April 1887 – 30 June 1916) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

recipient of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...

, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

and

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forces.

Nelson_Victor_Carter_VC_birth_certificate

Blue Plaque VC Memorial in Greys Road Eastbourne - geograph

Carter was born on 6 April 1887 to Richard Carter, of Hailsham; husband of Kathleen Carter, of 33 Greys Road, Old Town,

Eastbourne Eastbourne () is a town and seaside resort in East Sussex, on the south coast of England, east of Brighton and south of London. It is also a non-metropolitan district, local government district with Borough status in the United Kingdom, bor ...

. His date of birth is often stated as the ninth, but his birth certificate states the sixth. He twice enlisted in the

Royal Artillery The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery (RA) and colloquially known as "The Gunners", is one of two regiments that make up the artillery arm of the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises t ...

, in 1902 and 1906, both times being later discharged as medically unfit. In September 1914, after the outbreak of the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, he re-enlisted in the

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

, going to France with the

Royal Sussex Regiment The Royal Sussex Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that was in existence from 1881 to 1966. The regiment was formed in 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foo ...

in March 1916. He was 29 years old, and a

company sergeant major The company sergeant major (CSM) is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries, responsible for administration, standards and discipline. In combat, their prime responsibility is the supply of ...

in the 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, when he died during the

. He was awarded the VC for his actions on 30 June 1916 at Boar's Head,

Richebourg l'Avoue Richebourg may refer to: Places Richebourg is the name of several communes in France: * Richebourg, Haute-Marne, in the Haute-Marne department * Richebourg, Pas-de-Calais, in the Pas-de-Calais department * Richebourg, Yvelines, in the Yvelines depa ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

: After initial burial in a multiple grave, in the 1920s he was re-interred in the Royal Irish Rifles Churchyard, Laventie, France in Plot VI. Row C. Grave 17. Carter's VC was presented to his widow, Catherine, by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 2 May 1917 and is now held by the Royal Sussex Regiment Museum,

Eastbourne Redoubt Eastbourne Redoubt is a circular coastal defence fort at Eastbourne, East Sussex, on the south coast of England. It was built in 1805 as part of the British anti-invasion preparations during the Napoleonic Wars. The building is now owned by t ...

, East Sussex. There is a blue plaque on his home at 33 Greys Road in Eastbourne.

References

Bibliography

* *

Monuments to Courage David Charles Harvey (29 July 1946 – 4 March 2004) was a British historian and author. He is notable for his seminal work, ''Monuments To Courage'', which documents the graves of almost all recipients of the Victoria Cross, a task that took ...

(David Harvey, 1999) *

The Register of the Victoria Cross ''The Register of the Victoria Cross'' is a reference work that provides brief information on every Victoria Cross awarded until the publication date. Each entry provides a summary of the deed, along with a photograph of the recipient and the f ...

(This England, 1997)
Burial location of Nelson Carter

External links

Redoubt Fortress Museum

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter, Nelson Victor 1887 births 1916 deaths Royal Sussex Regiment soldiers British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross Military personnel from East Sussex British military personnel killed in World War I British Army personnel of World War I People from Eastbourne British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross