Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Note- Henry Carter Powter was incorrectly recorded on his second service records as Henry Charles Powter. 

Henry Carter Powter served twice in the South African (Boer) war. First service was as a Private S.N. 102 in the 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry. Second service was as a Private S.N. 618 in the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen (1st Draft).

When he joined the 3rd QMI in 1900 and his details were published under the name Henry Carter Powter with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 3 Mar 1900, he noted he was single and his address was 155 George St, Brisbane. He served the full tour with the 3rd QMI and was discharged in Brisbane in Jun 1901.

Not long after he was selected in the First Draft of the 6th QIB and embarked again for South Africa in Aug 1901. The members of the draft mainly consisted of men who had served in previous contingents in South Africa and were assembled as reinforcements for the 5th and 6th QIB contingents already in South Africa. Men in the draft were not recorded in the original nominal roll for the 6th QIB but are recorded in the Boer War Service Paybooks.

He was incorrectly recorded by Murray on the AWM Nominal Roll as Henry Charles Powter. He is recorded correctly as Henry Carter Powter in the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB (to which he was allotted), Bk 4 p. 56. It also notes part of his payments had been transfered from previous service in the 3rd contingent.

Newspaper reports note when the 5th QIB returned to Australia a number of men remained in South Africa for various reasons including for further service. The Brisbane Courier, 16 May 1902, notes when the 5th QIB embarked to return to Australia that, S.N. 618, Private Hy. C. Powter, remained in South Africa for further service. The Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, Bk 4 p. 56, notes he transfered to the I. I. C. Depot for passage to England with no date of discharge given.

He returned from England to Sydney in late 1902. It appears that on the voyage he formed a relationship with a young widow, Henrietta Adelina Staaden, and after arriving in Sydney they married on 29 Dec 1902. It appears after a short while he had second thoughts and removed himself from the relationship. This resulted in his wife, who after trying to find his whereabouts, seeking a divorce a number of years later. This was reported in Sydney newspapers, one such report is transcribed below.

Divorce (Before Mr. Justice Sly): Powter V. Powter- The Daily Telegraph, 9 Sep 1909, p. 10.

A suit for divorce was instituted by Henrietta Adelina Powter, formerly Staaden, against Henry Carter Powter, on the ground of desertion. The parties married on 29 December 1902, in Sydney, according to the rites of the New Unitarian Church. Mr Bertram appeared for the petitioner, who gave evidence that she and the respondent, who was a miner, met while they were on their way to Sydney. He was returning from the Boer War, and she was coming from England. When they married, they went to live at Sutherland; but he afterwards left for Queensland, and she had since heard he had gone to America. A decree nisi was granted, returnable in six months.

According to a bio on Ancestry.com.au Henry Carter Powter was born 20 Feb 1872 at Stratford, Ontario, Canada. The only record of marriage appears to be that discussed above before he passed in Sydney in 1947.

(source- AWM Boer War Memorial, Murray p. 469 & 518; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 3rd QMI, Bk 3 p. 73, and 5th QIB, Bk 4 p. 56; Ancestry.com.au online bio).