Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Jacob Melford Stanley CARTER was born on 29th December, 1892 in Devonport, Tasmania

His parents were Frederick CARTER and Mary ANDREWS
who lived at Appledore Street, Devonport, Tasmania.
(31/1/1918  had moved to Turton Street, West Devonport, Tasmania)

Noted on enlisting, last lived at Wilmot, Tasmania.

Previous service:  5 years in 6th Light Horse Regiment  - still serving on enlistment

Described on enlisting as 23 years 11 months old; single; 5' 9 1/4" tall; 168 lbs; fair complexion;
brown eyes; light brown hair; Church of England.
 

19/5/1916           Completed medical - fit for service

23/5/1916           Enlisted

22/7/1916           Commanding Officer appointed Jacob to 2nd reinforcements, 40th Battalion
                           Claremont Camp

8/8/1916             Embarked from Hobart, Tasmania  on board HMAT A70 Ballarat
                           Private in 2nd reinforcements, 40th Infantry Brigade

The 3rd Division was raised in Australia early in 1916. The 40th Battalion was Tasmania’s contribution to the strength of the division and it joined the Victorian-raised 37th, 38th and 39th Battalions to form the 10th Brigade.

30/9/1916           Disembarked into Plymouth, England

22/10/1916         Taken on strength from 10th Training Battalion, Larkhill
                           into 40th Battalion

23/11/1916         Proceeded overseas to France

By December the 40th Battalion was serving in the trenches in France.

30/12/1916          sick to hospital - mumps
                            admitted to 7th General Hospital - St Omar
19/1/1917            Discharged to Base Depot
21/1/1917            rejoined 40th Battalion

20/3/1917            sick to hospital - boil to left knee
                            admitted to 10th Field Ambulance
29/3/1917            rejoined battalion from hospital

The 40th Battalion spent 1917 bogged in bloody trench warfare in Flanders.

In June the battalion took part in the battle of Messines.

7/6/1917              Gun shot wound to left thigh - received in action
                            admitted to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Statioin

8/6/1917              Died of gunshot wounds - received in action

buried in:             Trois Arbres Cemetery, France
                            Plot I, Row N, Grave No. 17.

Medals:
British War Medal (, Victory Medal (
Memorial Plaque and Memorial Scroll (

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  14/11/2014.  Lest we forget.

THE LATE PRIVATE CARTER

Mr. L. Carter of Turton street, has received a letter from Rev. G.K. Tucker, a Church of England chaplain in France, condoling with him on the loss of his son Pte. J.M.S. Carter.  Writing on June 16 he says: - "Your son was brought in here on Thursday last suffering from a very severe wound in the thigh.  Although everything possible was done for him, he passed away the next day.  As many hundreds passed through this station during those two days, I am unable to give you any further particulars of your son's last hours.  As I did with all the seriously wounded, I did what I could to comfort him.  I regret so much taht I cannot remember the circumstances.  You can be cheered by the thought that your son did his duty and dit it well.  He received his wounds in a battle that culminated in a glorius victory.  His sacrifice has been great, but we can be assured his reward will be greater.  Death for those who have given their life for their country is a grand promotion:  they have given their life, it is true, but only to gain a higher one which will last for ever."