Hedley Charles Carter
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Hedley Charles was the son of George Charles William Wainwright Carter and his wife Sarah Jane nee Geeson. George Carter was born in Marylebone, London, on 19 May 1869 (J/A/S Staines) and Sarah Geeson in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, on 28 November 1869 (J/F/M Souhtwell). They were married in 1895 (A/M/J Southwell) and had two children of whom only Hedley survived (b. 30 July 1898 J/A/S Southwell). in 1901 George (31), a house painter and decorator, and Sarah (31) were living on Cemetery Road, Ollerton, with their son Hedley (2). Also in the household was Sarah's widowed mother, Eliza Geeson (74). The family was still living in Ollerton in 1911; the census gave their address as View house, Ollerton. George was described as a painter (employer) and Sarah was employed as an uncertified teacher, probably at Ollerton National Girls School (see 'Extra Information'). Hedley (12) was at Mansfield Queen Elizabeth Boys' Grammar School. Also in the household was George's unmarried sister, Wilhemina (18 b. Ollerton) who was a general domestic servant. George and Sarah continued to live at View House, Back Lane, Ollerton. By 1939 at the time the England & Wales Register was compiled, George had retired as a decorator and Sarah's occupation was given as 'unpaid domestic duties'. George died on 2 August 1943; the family home was still at View House. His widow has not yet been traced after this date.
1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of York's Own). Hedley attested on 11 August 1916 when he was aged 18 years and 12 days. He was transferred to the Army Reserve from 11 August and was mobilized the following year on 21 February. He was posted 24 February 1917 and was on Home Service until 14 August 1917 when he embarked at Folkestone for France, disembarking Boulogne 14/15 August. Hedley was initially reported missing on 4 October 1917 after carrying rations to the front line, but his death was confirmed at the end of October. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Extracts from school log for Ollerton National Girls' School, Wellow Road: '21 February 1917 – Mrs Carter absent this morning seeing her son off, he being called upon for military service. 29th October 1917 – Mrs Carter returned to school. I regret that her son, Hedley, was killed in action on October 4th.' (Nottinghamshire Archives SL128 1/2) Mansfield Reporter, 2 November 1917 (photograph): ‘Ollerton Soldier Killed. About a fortnight ago, Mr and Mrs C Carter, View House, Ollerton, received unofficial tidings that their only son Private Hedley Carter, East Yorks Regiment, was missing after carrying rations to the front line, and last week official news came through that he had been killed in action on October 4th. Private Carter had only been in France a very short time, having sailed within a week of his nineteenth birthday in July last. He received his early education at the Ollerton National School, where he won a scholarship tenable at the Mansfield Grammar School. He died exceedingly well in passing various examinations, and subsequently taught in one of the Mansfield Woodhouse Schools. Before going to Mansfield he was a member of the Ollerton Church choir for several years. His frank and cheery manner had endeared him to all with whom he came in contact, and very much sympathy is expressed for his parents in their deep sorrow.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Inscription on memorial installed by his parents in St Giles, Ollerton: 'Charles, dearly loved and only son of George Charles and Sarah Jane Carter, who gave his life for his country, Oct 4th 1917, aged 19 years. Waiting in a holy stillness.' Hedley's personal effects were returned to his father, George Charles Carter, on 23 December 1917. Listed in Nottinghamshire County Council register of employees who served (Nottinghamshire Archives ref CC CL 2 /12/1/1). Probate: Carter George Charles William Wainwright of View House Ollerton Nottinghamshire died 2 August 1943 at The Mansfield and District Hospital Mansfield Nottinghamshire Probate Nottingham 1 December to Sarah Jane Carter widow. Effects £794 4s. 7d.
