Private Thomas Joseph Carter.
19380 6th South Wales Border Regiment.
Died of illness 27th November 1915, aged 29.
Thomas was born in Burnley on the 16th June 1886.
On the 14th Nov. 1904 he enlisted in the Royal Navy for 12 years. In his years in the navy he served on the Nelson, Victory II, Ariadne and Antrim. His character was described as ‘Indifferent to very Good.’ He was discharged on the 9th March 1909 as being “an incorrigible and troublesome man.”
In the 1911 census Thomas was living with his mother Ellen 44 and widow, sister Kathleen and brothers John 17 and William 15 at 18 Master St, Burnley Lane. His mother had borne 9 children and 1 of whom had died prior to 1911.
From the Burnley Express dated 24 Dec 1915: A MAN FOR A TIGHT CORNER. - OFFICER'S TRIBUTE TO BURNLEY SOLDIER. - FINE FAMILY RECORD.
Taken ill whilst in the trenches, the death of occurred in hospital in France of Private Tom Carter, of the 6th South Wales Border Regiment whose widowed Mother resides at 18 Master Street Burnley. The deceased young man, who was 29 years of age and unmarried, had previously spent 5 years in the Navy. Before enlisting last November he was employed at the Burnley paperwork, and he went out to the front last September .
His death occurred on November 27th in hospital and beside official notification of the fact the widowed mother has received letters from a sister at the hospital and also the Major of the South Wales Borderers. The following is a very pathetic letter from private cortisone officer:-
December 2.
“ Dear Mrs Carter, I am writing a few lines to sympathize with you on your very great loss, and to tell you we all miss your son. I am proud to say that I am the officer in charge of the Platoon to which your son belong, and as such word to value and trust him as the most efficient and and reliable man in my Platoon. He was the most popular man in the Platoon, and beloved by all he came into contact with. He was an exceedingly small soldier, always did his work well, and a man one would choose to have with one evening in the tightest corner. It was with very deep and sincere regret that I heard of his death, as I had, although I've only been in charge of this Platoon for about 4 months. It makes one realise that we are all in the hands of God, and he disposes of us as he thinks best, which is always for our good, though at times it seems hard to realise it. I find it very hard to express how I feel for you, but thought you would like to know how your son was valued and appreciated by us all. Hoping that God will comfort you in your distress, I am, yours sincerely,”
Second Lieutenant Stuart Evans,
6th South Wales Borderers. (Pioneers).
Mrs Carter has four Sons left, and all are with the forces. One of this deceased brothers, Ernest is in the Navy in the North Sea; Willie is with the 7th East Lancashires; Frank, with the 1st Manchester Regiment, has been out since the beginning of the war, and has been wounded no fewer than three times; while John, with the territorials, has been invalided from the Dardanelles to hospital in Malta. In addition, two daughters are married, and their husbands are also with the forces - a truly fine family record. Tom Carter was connected with St Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Thomas lived at 18 Master St, Burnley.
Thomas was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France: Grave Ref: I.E.44.
