Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Carter, a quarry trade worker, born 1849 in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire and his wife Eliza Carter (nee Slater, married on the 2nd April 1888 in Narborough parish church), born 1864 in Shawell, Leicestershire. Arthur Slater Carter was born in the 3rd quarter of 1890 in Huncote, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 31st August 1890 in Narborough parish church, in April 1891 the family home was at South View, Huncote. In the 4th quarter of 1894 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district, Arthur’s father died aged 44. On the 10th May 1897, Arthur’s mother married Samuel French in Narborough parish church. In March 1901 Arthur was residing in the family home at Church Gate, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, together with his step father, Samuel French a general labourer, born 1871 in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, his mother and sibling Lilian, born 1892 in Huncote and baptised on the 7th August 1892 in Narborough parish church and his half blood siblings, Harry French, born 1900 and George French, born 1900, the latter two half blood siblings were both born in Bitteswell, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a foundry labourer and was residing in the family home in Huncote, together with his stepfather, a general labourer his mother and sibling Lilian, a hosiery trade winder and his half blood siblings, Harry French, a schoolboy and George French, a schoolboy also residing in the family home was his step Uncle Britton French, a hosiery machinist, born 1885 in Kibworth Harcourt. The family later resided in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire.
Arthur joined the Australian Imperial Force on the 26th October 1914 and swore his oath of attestation on the 5th November 1914 at Blackboy Hill, Perth, Western Australia. He gave his place of birth as Huncote, Leicestershire, England, his age as 24 and his trade or calling as horse driver. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his mother, Mrs. Eliza French of Littlethorpe, Leicestershire, England as his next of kin.
His medical examination recorded that he was 24 years and 2 months of age, 5 foot 7½ inches in height, weighed 10 stone 10 pounds and he had a chest measurement of 37 inches. His complexion was described as fair, he had blue grey eyes and fair hair. It was noted that he had a pigmented patch the size of a half crown on the back of his left thigh. He gave his religion as Church of England.
After enlistment on the 26/10/14 he was allotted the service number 1373 and posted as a Private to the 4th Field Ambulance, Australian Medical Corps. Posted to Reinforcements on the 2/11/14. Embarked at Freemantle for Melbourne on the 22/12/14. Embarked from Freemantle aboard H.M.A.A.T. A47 Mashorba on the 8/2/15. Proceeded from the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to Gallipoli on the 12/4/15. Posted to the 12th Field Ambulance, Australian Medical Corps at Tel-el-Kebir on the 29/2/16. Appointed Lance Corporal at Serapeum, Egypt on the 22/5/16. Embarked from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 4/9/16. Disembarked in Marseille on the 11/6/16. Transferred to the 50th Battalion Australian Infantry on the 25/8/16. Promoted Corporal on the 28/8/16. Transferred to the 13th Field Ambulance, Australian Medical Corps on the 25/9/16. Attached to the 50th Battalion Australian Infantry from duty with the 13th Field Ambulance, Australian Medical Corps on the 25/9/16. Awarded the Military Medal on the 16/8/17. Transferred from supernumerary strength of 13th Field Ambulance, Australian Medical Corps to 50th Battalion Australian Infantry on the 28/9/17. To Hospital sick on the 8/1/18. Admitted to 4th Field Ambulance suffering from N.Y.D. and pyrexia on the 8/1/18. Transferred to the 6th General Hospital suffering from bronchitis on the 11/1/18. Embarked from France aboard the Hospital Ship Western Australia on the 18/1/18. Admitted to University Hospital, Southampton suffering from bronchitis on the 19/1/18. Transferred to the 3rd Auxilliary Hospital, Dartford, Kent on the 22/2/18. Discharged from hospital on the 17/4/18. Transferred to the 13th Training Battalion, Codford on the 17/4/18. Embarked from Folkestone for France on the 29/4/18. Transferred to the New Zealand General Infantry Base Depot, Etaples on the 30/4/18. Rejoined 50th Battalion Australian Infantry, in the field on the 9/5/18. Wounded in action, in the field on the 7/7/18. Admitted to the 4th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and leg on the 8/7/18. Died from wounds received in action on the 8/7/18. Buried in St. Pierre Cemetery, Amiens. Arthur was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals and in addition was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry in the field (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. 219 dated 20th December 1917. London Gazette 4th Supplement No. 30234 dated 14th August 1917).
On the 22nd August 1918 a package containing a lock of hair was forwarded at the request of the late owner to Miss K. V. Whitfield, c/o Narborough Post Office, Narborough, Leicestershire, and on the same date a package containing, 3 wallets, 1 small photo case, 1 metal cigarette case, photos, 1 religious medallion and 1 medal ribbon to Mrs S. French, Narborough, Leicestershire.
The War Diary records: 7 Jul-18 – FRONT LINE. P.9.a.30.40. Relief of 44th Battalion completed by 2.00am without casualties. Battalion Headquarters were moved from positions taken over from 44th Battalion to bank at P.9.a.30.40 where a new Headquarters was dug as per sketch attached. Dispositions of Companies attached. Battalion received instructions from Brigade Headquarters to conform with an advance to be made by 45th Australian Battalion on night of 7/8th. Commanding Officer went to 45th Battalion Headquarters and made necessary arrangements. Battalion to move forward at 11.30pm tonight. Our artillery active on enemy lines and back areas. Our aircraft active, one of our planes brought down opposite Battalion sector, in no-man’s land, when flying low, by enemy Machine Gun fire. Enemy artillery very active. A rigorous system of patrolling has been adopted. 6 fighting patrols went out with instructions to engage enemy patrols met. Weather fine and warm.