Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Argyllshire’ A8 for UK 9.11.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 51st Battalion 7th Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force.
Carter disembarked at Devonport with the 7th Reinforcement 51st Battalion 10.1.1917. This Battalion was primarily a WA Battalion formed from the experienced men who had served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force from the 11th Battalion and new recruits. Carter marched in to 13th Training Battalion at Codford for a period of intensive training.
He proceeded overseas to France from Folkstone with his unit 10.4.1917. They marched in to Etaples and were taken on strength 9.1.1917. The 51st Battalion fought in the trenches on the Somme during the harsh winter of 1916-1917, they advanced against the retreating German Army, towards the Hindenburg Line in early 1917. They also fought at Ypres, Messines and Polygon Wood (Australian War Memorial 51st Battalion). Carter was wounded in action in the trenches 12.10.1917, with a gunshot wound to his left eye. He was transported to England per Hospital Ship ‘St. Andrew’ 22.10.1917 and admitted to Wandsworth Hospital 22.10.1917. Carter was transferred to Harefield Hospital 12.1.1918 and discharged for Duty with the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital (1st ADH) at Bulford 1.3.1918. Carter’s health was not adequate, he was deemed unfit for general duties and discharged from Bulford. He was listed for early return to Australia- Invalided.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Dunvegan Castle’ 25.3.1918.
Returned/Disembarked 13.5.1918.
Discharged 24.6.1918.
Final Rank Private, 51st Battalion Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Invalided, gunshot wound to left eye.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes  Carter died 28.3.1958.
Photos HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, Photograph source AWM P10581.002
             Codford No. 7 Camp 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C01288
             Frozen, waterfilled shell crater , Wytschaetes Ridge, Messines 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM H17002
             Stretcher bearers passing through a cemetery at Polygon Wood 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01912

Information Source
AWM P10581.002. HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW,  photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C01288. Codford No. 7 Camp 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17002. Frozen, waterfilled shell crater , Wytschaetes Ridge, Messines 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01912. Stretcher bearers passing through a cemetery at Polygon Wood 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Charles Henry Carter
Australian War Memorial 51st Battalion.
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Carter C H
Wesley Chapel Honour Roll
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories 1915

138 Swan Street, Guildford, WA.
Victoria Park, WA.

Associated Images