Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Thomas Henry Carter
Service Number: 3261
Place of Birth: Oakbank
Date of Birth: 16 June 1894
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 26 July 1915
Age at Enlistment: 21 years 1 month
Next of Kin: Father, Richard Carter
Occupation: Gardener
Religion: Methodist
Rank: Private
Thomas left Adelaide on board HMAT A 24 Benalla on 27 October 1915 arriving in Egypt on 27 November with the 10th Battalion. On 4 December he was admitted to No. 4 Auxiliary Hospital at Abbasinia dangerously ill with suspected diphtheria. His condition deteriorated and he was sent to another hospital at Heliopolis later in December. Thomas’ parents were informed of his condition on 28 December. He died at No. 4 Auxiliary Hospital on 2 January 1916 of cerebo-spinal meningitis and was buried by Chaplain W.F. Shannon at the British Protestant Cemetery, Cairo. Thomas’ personal effects, Victory Medal and Memorial Plaque were sent to his parents between 1916 and 1922.

THOMAS HENRY CARTER
Thomas Henry Carter Reg. No. 3261 was the youngest son of Richard H Carter and the late Mrs Carter of Hectorville, South Australia. He was born and educated at Oakbank, in the Adelaide hills. Prior to enlisting, he was employed as a gardener by Mr. R White of Marden. He had been an army cadet for 2 years in the Adelaide 7th Battalion. He joined the 10th battalion AIF in the 11th reinforcement, on 26th July 1915. They sailed out of Adelaide on HMAT Benalla A24 27th October 1915. He had just turned 21 years of age. He left behind, his father, two older brothers, Herman and Jack, and an older sister Ivy, who was Mrs. Walter Reid. Shortly after arrival in Gallipoli, 26th December 1915, he was diagnosed with Cerebro-Spinal- Meningitis, and admitted to the Heliopolis Auxiliary Hospital. From there he was sent to Egypt for further treatment. He died on 2nd January 1916, and was buried in the British Protestant Cemetery Cairo; grave site No 245 row D. Army Chaplain Shannon conducted the burial ceremony. On the first anniversary of his death, in January 1917, the Family Notices in the paper showed how much Thomas was missed by the community. Family, friends, even his employer prior to enlistment, took the opportunity to mark his passing.


http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/114496
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Saturday 5 February 1916 p 40
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Saturday 5 February 1916 p 40
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/search/thomas carter
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Tuesday 2 January 1917 p 6