203345, Private, 4th Bedfordshire Regiment.
Killed In Action on 30th October 1917 aged 19.
Tyne Cot Memorial - Belgium
Ernest was the son of George and Edith Carter and was to lose his life during the closing stages of The Third Ypres, or Battle of Passchendaele.
The offensive had been launched on 31 July 1917 and continued until the fall of Passchendaele village on 6 November. Although it resulted in gains for the Allies it was by no means the breakthrough General Haig intended, and such gains as were made came at great cost in human terms. The area had suffered the heaviest rains it had seen for 30 years and this, combined with intensive shelling from both sides, had turned the ground into a hellish morass.
On the 30th October 1917 the Battalion were in the frontline at Ourton when they were ordered to attack an enemy strong-point. The ground was described as being very “boggy” and the Battalion only managed to move forward by 150 yards. However, this slight movement in the line cost the lives of 2 officers and 73 men, one of whom was Ernest Carter.
He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zillebeke, Belgium. (Panel 48/50.)
Medal Entitlement: British War Medal & Victory Medal