Christopher George Carter
Born the Seventh July 1879 at John Street Darlington to William Carter a Railway Porter and Eliza nee Lunn. He went into the Darlington workhouse along with his sisters and mother when he was 6, His father had died in December 1885. His mother was later transferred to the Sedgefield Asylum where she was to die in 1897.
In December 1892 he looks to be in trouble when with nine other lads a George Carter is caned. When it must have been unbelievably cold without any heating, the ten lads got out of bed, dressed and somehow set a fire. They were discovered and punished. When the incident was reported to the Visitors Committee, they instructed that the lads for various days be put on bread and water and forfeit the Christmas activities.
It`s approved in March 1893, that he should go working with a Mr C Brown Hairdresser (presumably a barber) who lived at 2 Arthur Street Darlington with a view to serving an apprenticeship. In 1891 a Stanton family of Grocers are at this address so it looks like a new business set up by 1893. It`s not known how long he lasted in this job it wouldn`t surprise me if he just took himself off looking for something better. He is in Gateshead by 1901 living with our gran Elizabeth Carr and her family and working on the railway. He and gran would marry in 1903.
The Register Office. Newcastle Upon Tyne Christopher George Carter 23 bachelor Electrical Engineer of 34 Close, Newcastle father William Carter Deceased a Railway Guard & Elizabeth Carr 21 spinster of 20 Close, father Robert Carr a Mariner. Witness to the Wedding were J. B. Jackson & H. A. Heppel
When James is born he is a miner, and later working at Sowerbys Glass works in East Street Gateshead where he is a Pot Filler then later a Furnace Man until presumably he joined the army in August 1915.
The Great War began after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo on 28th June 1914. Austria & Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia quickly mobilised and Germany declared war on Russia on the 1st August. On August 3rd Germany declared war on France and the following day after Germany declared war on neutral Belgium they invaded France and Britain declared war on Germany.
Christopher George volunteered for the army on 7th August 1915 and exactly 2 months later on the 7th October he was arriving in France. On the 8th he joined the 9th battalion Yorkshire Regiment later to become known as the Green Howards. They were at this time entrenched at Estaires. The diary of the 9th battalion has the following note.8.October.15 1st draft of 15 other ranks received.
At this time the Battle of Loos is going on nearby, the proximity suggests that the Green Howards were in reserve for this battle which began on 25th September after a 4 day bombardment and went on spasmodically until 19th October. It was during this battle that Rudyard Kiplings son Jack died. The casualties were high 50,000. It was at the outset of this battle that the British used Gas for the first time and though they undoubtedly caught some of the Germans by surprise. They also succeeded in scoring an own goal. The wind was blowing towards the British trenches this caused 2,632 British gas casualties, seven of which eventually died.
The 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment had arrived on the Western Front at the end of August 1915. Their first casualty occurred just a couple of weeks before Christopher George arrived. This from the war diary “September 29th 1915 1st Casualty One man slightly wounded by shrapnel.”
By 16th October and nearing the end of the Battle of Loos they have begun to take heavy casualties 8 reported on this day 7 killed and 1 wounded. The last day of October sees another draft of 30 men. On the 4th November there is a direct hit on the billets at Rue Marle and the battalion have 13 wounded. Between the 6th and 10th they are in trenches at Bois Grenier having relieved the 2nd Northants they suffer more casualties here 4 killed and 7 wounded. A note in the margin gives an indication of the weather. “V. Cold”
The rest of the year seems to have been comparatively quiet if the diary is anything to go by. The next casualties come right at the end 29-31 December when 1 Officer is wounded and 1 Other Rank is killed.
There is excitement on New Years Day. From the war diary.
1st January 1235a.m. Successful raid carried out on German trenches commanded by Major HAS Prior and led by Capt G K THOMPSON in party of about 100 men. Casualties. 1 Officer died of wounds. 1 Officer wounded OR 1 Killed 14 wounded.
On the 10th of January a full account of the above is written up.
10/1/16.
Summary of report on raid carried out in the early morning of January 1st by the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regt. Of the 69th Infantry Brigade / 23rd Division, in the neighbourhood of the RUE DU MOIS.
The men who were to take part in the raid were struck off duty for some days prior to the 1st January and were practised in every detail on ground where trenches had been dug to represent the German works to be attacked.
For several days previous to the attack the artillery cut the enemy’s wire and bombarded his parapet at various points along the front of the 23rd Division, including the point at which the raid was to be made.;
Details of the actual raid.
The attacking party was under the command of Major Prior.
The night of the 31st December – 1st January was still and starlight. The enemy’s trenches were about 250 yards from the point of exit from our own trenches. The enemy was very much on the alert and was using, in addition to numerous Very lights, three searchlights.
At 9.30 p.m. on the 31st December a wire cutting party, under the command of 2nd Lieut. Armitage, 9th Yorkshire Regiment, crossed to the enemy’s lines and successfully cut a lane about 5 feet wide through the enemy’s wire The wire cutting party was left at the wire and the officers returned to our own trenches at 11-30 p.m. and reported that the way was clear to the enemy’s parapet and that there would be little difficulty in crossing the borrow pit.
At 12-15 a.m. the raiding parties left our trenches and proceeded to a place of assembly in front of our line. From here the parties crawled very slowly towards the enemy position and on nearing it were met by the wire cutting party who guided them to the lane which had been cut
It was necessary in order to ensure success that the raid and the accompanying artillery support should be simultaneous. It had consequently been arranged that the infantry attack and artillery should act in accordance with a pre-arranged time table.
The artillery barrage started at 1-33 am and at this moment the enemy’s trenches were successfully rushed by the raiding parties.
The parties, on entering the enemy’s line, proceeded at once to bomb to the right and left of the point of entry.
The Right Party, under 2nd Lieut. Gibson, found the enemy’s trench lightly held. The party accounted for four Germans shot were either bombed or bayoneted.
The Left Party, which was under the command of Capt. Thomson, was attacked by the enemy with bombs, but the hostile bombers were driven off. Fifteen Germans were reported to have been bayoneted by the party and it is thought that probably five or ten more were killed exclusive of others who took to flight and were driven into the artillery barrage.
About 35 of our men in all entered the enemy’s trenches. This number was found to be quite sufficient. The parties left the enemy’s trenches at 1-49 a.m. bringing their wounded (seven in all) with them. No men were killed.
The enemy was undoubtedly surprised and only offered feeble resistance.
A password was used and this was found very useful.
There are more losses at the end of January and beginning of February when 8 men were killed while in trenches near Rue Marle. Though there are regular reports of wounded the next killed in action reports are in May.
The lead up to the Battle of the Somme looks to have been a relatively quiet time for operations for the 9th Battalion who were held in reserve for the battle with the rest of 23rd Division. For a solid week before the commencement of the battle things were anything but quiet. It was intended to have a 4 day barrage then attack at dawn but the weather was so bad that the attack was postponed and the barrage continued for another 3 days. Our artillery was bombarding the Germans continuously day & night for the whole 7 days. Unfortunately towards the end it seems that the artillery were running out of shells as the stockpiles had only been intended originally for a the 4 day barrage. So the shelling would have petered out and on top of this a lot of the shells failed to explode. The hope was that the Germans would be broken and would easily be overrun when our lads went over the top on the 1st July. They were told to walk slowly as very little opposition was expected. The opposite was the case for the Germans had been well dug in. The German bunkers were far superior to ours and as soon as the bombardment stopped at 7a.m. on the 1st July they came out manned the machine guns and were more than ready for our lads when they came out of the trenches at 7.30a.m.. This day was to be called The Bloodiest day in the history of the British Army when we suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead. The rest being wounded or captured. The battle was to go on until the 18th November. The total casualties were put at 1 million.
By the 3rd of July The 9th Battalion are in trenches near Albert and begin taking casualties again. On the 5th they score a famous victory capturing Horseshoe Trench. The casualties are high the diary makes light of the events on this day.
Trenches 5th July H.Q. moved to Heligoland at 3 p.m. Battalion made an attack at 6 p.m. and captured Horse Shoe Trench.
Casualties. Officers 3 killed 4 wounded 2 reported missing, afterwards found to have been killed in action. O.R. 14 killed 144 wounded 25 reported missing. Prisoners captured during this advance 140, also 2 machine guns. Counter attacks by Germans on our left flank during the night were unsuccessful.
Donald Simpson Bell (a professional footballer at the outset of war) from Harrogate was to be awarded the Victoria Cross for heroism in the capture of a machine gun post at Horseshoe Trench. 5 days later at Contalmaison he lost his life in a similar action. He married Rhoda Margaret Bonson who came from Wilmslow on the 5th June 1916.
An officer is killed on the 8th at Belle Vue Farm and then on the 10th there is another famous victory when Contalmaison is captured. Unfortunately this proves to be the last action Christopher George would be involved in. He was shot through the right knee by a rifle bullet during the capture. The diary states the facts of the event.
Trenches 10th July Left bivouacs at 11. a.m. for trenches; Arrived in assembly trench about 4.p.m (Heavily shelled on way up) At 4.50p.m. the 8th & 9th Yorkshires left their assembly trenches to attack Contalmaison, the 8th Yorks being on the right & 9th on the left. We had to advance over the open for 1500 yards and lost heavily from shrapnel, H.E.(High Explosive), Machine Gun and Rifle fire. Attack completely successful and Contalmaison was captured by 6.p.m. and held. Over 250 prisoners were taken, many Germans killed , 8 Machine Guns captured, also large quantity of ammunition, but S.A. and for Field Guns. Counter attacks by Germans were driven off.
Casualties Officers 3 killed 11 wounded, O.R. 13 killed 192 wounded 24 reported missing.
The account from the book Extracts from “La Boiselle – Ovillers, Contalmaison” by Michael Stedman best tells the story of the actions.
"The events of 8th - 11th July at Contalmaison
By the morning of the 8th July the mud within the trenches south and west of Contalmaison was so thick and deep that men could not move in their depths. Many became stuck fast, unable to get out without assistance. Above ground conditions were little better. The Germans however were still in active control of both Contalmaison and Bailiff Wood. Attempts to make contact between 24 Brigade, south of the village, and 68 Brigade to the west were continually thwarted. The 1st Worcesters made another brave attempt on the village in the evening but were stopped by machine gun fire and a heavy barrage. A similar attempt by the 2nd Northamptonshires to advance from Peake Woods across the western face of the village, in an attempt to join with 68 Brigade near Bailiff Wood, was also unsuccessful.
The following morning, the 9th July, the situation was changed by the successful attacks made by soldiers belonging to 69 Brigade. Men of the 10th Duke of Wellingtons (attached to 24 Brigade) established a machine gun post just south of Contalmaison which could sweep the whole area with its fire. The 12th Durham Light Infantry gradually wrested control of Bailiff Wood following their attack at 8.15 pm. Hand to hand fighting continued within Bailiff Wood well past nightfall and the advantage gained was crucial in the forthcoming assault on the village, now ordered for the following day. That attack was to be undertaken by the 8th and 9th battalions of the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) together with two companies of the 11th West Yorkshires who would make a flanking attack from Bailiff Wood.
On the morning of 10th July the 8th and 9th Yorkshires were assembled in Horseshoe Trench, some 1,200 yards west of Contalmaison. The village and the trench in front of it were subjected to an intense artillery bombardment between 4 and 4.30 pm. As the infantry attack developed the artillery was due to move, in five short lifts, through the village and then rest on its eastern side. Simultaneously it was planned to fire a smoke screen from the brigade's Stokes mortars in Bailiff Wood, but time and mud prevented sufficient ammunition from being carried up to fire an adequate screen. Nevertheless, at 4.30 the Yorkshire infantry moved forward, in four waves. The 9th Battalion were on the left with the 8th on their right. The 9th Battalion in particular had a hard task, having to cross over 1000 yards of open ground under intense shrapnel fire coming from Contalmaison Wood. When about 500 yards from Contalmaison heavy machine gun and rifle fire was also opened on both battalion's men from the front and from their left flank. The men however were immensely determined and carried the trench on the west side of the village in a bayonet charge, at which point the surviving Germans ran back into the wreckage to continue its defence from that cover. The 9th Yorks had arrived first, the 8th battalion on the right having been held up by an intact barrier of barbed wire. Once that trench was occupied by both battalions it was clear that much remained to be done. The men again moved forward, now in short rushes across a wasteland of tangled wire and shellholes, and so determined were the Yorkshiremen that many ran into their own artillery's barrage, whose lifts had to be advanced to enable the men to get to close quarters with the Germans.
As the 9th captured two machine gun posts those guns were turned on the fleeing Germans. However, the main weight of the German's machine guns had been placed in the southern perimeter of the village defences where the attack had been anticipated. A hedge in this vicinity had also been wired making it almost impenetrable and 50% of the 8th Battalion's casualties occurred between the trench and the hedge. After a brief but merciless fight the 8th Yorkshires in particular took satisfaction from taking prisoner 8 officers and 160 unwounded soldiers of the 122nd Reserve Regiment, as well as six of the machine guns which had so devastated the Yorkshiremens ranks. Also taken prisoner were at least 100 wounded men sheltering in dug-outs. By stark contrast the 8th Yorkshires had been reduced to only 5 officers and 150 actives by this time. Amongst the dead was Captain Francis Dodgson whose small memorial is now a permanent feature of the valley in front of Contalmaison.
The flank attack, made by the 11th West Yorks from Bailiff Wood, was also successful. As many Germans fled northwards from the village, driven out by the weight of the British barrage, the 11th West Yorks took a heavy toll of those men caught in the open. The German wounded, unable to be got away, filled the cellars of the chateau at the north end of the village. By 5.30 pm the 11th West Yorkshires had joined up with the Green Howards completing the successful capture of Contalmaison village. In total almost three hundred unwounded German prisoners were taken, including a battalion commanding officer, along with nine machine guns. That evening and night consolidation of these position began, under the protection of a box barrage which was maintained around the village to minimise the impact of counter attacks. However, from 7.30 pm onwards those counter-attacks developed. The first of these came from the direction of the Cutting [X.I 7.a central] but the small group of Germans appeared to be dispersed by their own side's machine gun fire. At 9.00 pm one of those counter-attacks threatened to become more dangerous when a group of 40 or more Germans were seen to be lining the hedge northwards from point 93. Major Western, who was the second in command of the 8th Yorks, hastily improvised a barricade across the road at point 84 where he was reinforced by men drawn from both the 8th and 9th battalions. It was from here that 2nd Lieutenant Bell (9th Yorkshires) attacked the enemy with his party of bombers. Although this gallant act was successful in driving out the German counter attack, Donald Bell VC, lost his life in the thick of the action. The following morning, the 11th July, the 102nd and 128th Field Companies of the Royal Engineers arrived and began the processes of road repair, the laying of cables and making arrangements to bury the dead. Bell's comrades ensured that he was buried at the foot of the sunken lane leading up to Contalmaison's communal cemetery. The letter of condolence written to his mother two days later by Bell's commanding officer made clear the way in which the battalion's officers wished to record Donald Bell's bravery. Speaking of the likely award of the Victoria Cross Colonel Holmes wrote, 'Others will have told you how well he deserved the honour, both in the act which won it, at the capture of Horseshoe Trench, and at Contalmaison, when he lost his life. His was a great example, given at a time when it was most needed, and in his honour the spot where he now lies, and which is now a redoubt, has been officially named 'Bell's Redoubt'.'
Christopher George had been shot through the right knee with a rifle bullet on the 10th July. The bullet had gone straight through. He was patched up with a bandaged dressing in the trenches and the following day moved to No 1 British Field Hospital, then to a British Casualty Clearing Station near Albert, then to No 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital, at Outrean, France . He left there 15th July, and arrived at The Ontario Military Hospital at Orpington in Kent on 16th July, 1916.
On the 20th July he had the first of what would be 19 operations. Here they explored the wound extracting shrapnel and draining off fluid. It was noted that the bullet had entered the knee joint. On the 14th of August he had developed a chill and on the 17th August his leg is amputated mid thigh. The next operation is on the 21st December where 7 pieces of dead bone were removed. This is probably due to an infection because of the lack of antibiotics. This was a common occurrence at this time. The 3rd of February 1917 sees him being transferred to The 4th Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow. He has numerous operations and treatment here and is discharged from the hospital and the Army at the end of March. On one visit back here it`s noted that he isn`t wearing his artificial leg. C.G.C. says he wears it for 4 hours a day but hasn`t got used to using it full time yet. This ties in with what Uncle George says. He told me Granny used the leg more than him. She used it as a template for sock making, she was always knitting socks it seems. He is back in Glasgow in October 1918 for 21 days and another operation. Further visits continue until 1921 when his hospital appointments are in NewcastleWar Pensions Hospital. Referred to in pension documents as Castle Leazes Hospital 2 of these visits result in further amputations and are followed by numerous trips going into 1925. In 1923 its noted for the first time that he is suffering from Cardiac Disease.
From March 1921 it looks like he is out of work.. The reason given being Trade Depression. As if he didn`t have enough problems this is the time of a depression. In 1921 there was a 3 month miners strike after their wages were cut when the mines were given back to private ownership. During the war and until 1921 the mines had been in government control and conditions in the mines had improved, the government had hugely subsidised the Industry. Immediately on being handed back their mines the owners announced wage cuts and this led to an 11 week strike and eventually to accepting wage cuts of 10 and 40 per cent.
On 23rd September 1926 Christopher George`s long battle finished when he died after undergoing nineteen operations on his damaged leg and untold pain and hardship, his heart gave up. The death certificate stated the cause of death as Cardiac Valvular Disease. The day he died his pension stopped and Gran began the process of claiming his pension. He had been getting a pension of £2.4s5d according to an entry which gran states on a pension appeal form. “was for himself, wife and 2 children” Aunty Annie though probably still at home at this time was working and not classed as a child. The children claimed for on the form were Elizabeth Rose and James. Dad and Uncle George were at home though and it looks like Gran had taken advice to paint the picture as black as possible and they are not mentioned. Uncle George was born 1920 and Dad 1923, both after the war and obviously after the amputation.
Her pension was refused because the cause of death was not what he had been getting a pension for and this was after the 7 year cut off period since he had left the army. Gran appealed and there were numerous sittings. On at least one appeal Gran is represented by Major Wallace of the British Legion. Times are really hard for her, on one form where she is asked to supply another copy of the death certificate. It`s noted that :- Owing to her financial circumstances the widow is unable to purchase a copy of Death Certificate. A certified copy of General Form 36 submitted to this Office by Pension Issue Office is, therefore, attached herewith for your information.
Ministry of Pensions
All of the appeals result in it being disallowed for the same reasons.
Refusal of Pension 12th November 1926
Letter from Ministry of Pensions. Widows and Dependants.
H/W/28788
12th November 1926
Madam,
With reference to your application for pension in respect of the death of your husband the late. No 23139 Pte C.G.Carter Yorks Regt. I am directed by the Minister of Pensions to inform you that as your husband’s death occurred more than seven years after the termination of his active service in the War, your claim has been carefully considered under Article 17 of the Royal Warrant which applies to your case, but it is regretted that the circumstances of your husbands death are not such as to warrant an award being made under Article 17A.
Moreover, as it cannot be certified that the death of your husband was wholly due to the nature or condition as resulting directly from war service of the disability for which he was awarded pension, you are ineligible for an award under Article 17B.
Should you desire to appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal against the decision of the Ministry contained in preceding paragraph, you should apply to the Ministry Area Officer, 3 West Street Gateshead who will instruct you as to the necessary procedure.
Under Section 6 (1) of the War Pensions Act, 1921, no appeal will be valid unless lodged within twelve months of the date of the notification. If you intend to appeal against the Ministry’s decision, it may be in your own interests to enter an appeal as soon as possible after the date of the notification.
Decision of Appeal 13th December 1926
Final Decision of the Ministry.
Having considered the appeal, the Ministry sees no reason to amend the previous decision and the claim is rejected on the following grounds :-
That the death was not wholly due to the nature or condition of the pensioned disability, such nature or condition having resulted directly from War Service.
S.J.BRICKSTOCK for Awards Officer.
13th December 1926
Notes from the Appeal Tribunal 25th April 1927.
Notes of the Ministry Representative at the Pensions (Entitlement) Appeal Tribunal Sitting at Newcastle on Tyne 25.4.27
Appealant CARTER Mrs Elizabeth, Widow of Christopher George Carter deceased
Article 17 case. Not admitted under 17th
His widow attended with Major Wallace of the British Legion, also Mr Quinn a friend.
At this stage the Chairman explained the Regulations Governing pensions under Article 15 of the Warrant.
The Legion representative stated he has already informed the widow as to the position but put forward that the fatal disease was a direct sequetar of pensioned disability. Contends that deceased was invalided with severe gunshot wound amputation and also heart disease. It is put forward that 19 operations were performed and that in 1923 a further operation was suggested but not proceeded with because heart condition too bad.
Additional medical evidence is produced today.
The widow states the stump was always leaking down and discharging. Deceased employed as Lodge-Keeper subsequent to leaving army. Furnace man before enlisting. No illness before going into the army.
Case is adjourned for information to be obtained re hospital treatment subsequent to discharge. It is desired to know if Lustors? suggests that heart disease was direct sequclae of pensioned disability.
25th April 1927 Ministry Representative. Newcastle
A.A.Cooper the Medical Assessor had on the 10th November stated that “I am unable to associate the cause of death with the pensioners disability or MS.”??
Appeal Hearing 26 May 1927
Note attached An appeal against the Ministry’s decision that the deceased soldiers death was not wholly due to the nature or condition of the pensioned disability such nature or condition having resulted directly from War Service.
Pensions Appeal Tribunal (Entitlement)
Date of Appeal 16.11.1926 Date of Hearing 26.5.27
Decision of Appeal Disallowed 17B
Appellant Carter Elizabeth 13, Prior Street, Gateshead on Tyne
Widow
Name of deceased CARTER Christopher George. Yorkshire Regiment Pte. 23159.
Occupation Pre-enlisting. Furnace man. Employer Sowerby`s Ellison Glass Works Ltd. East Street, Gateshead. Post Discharge Forge Keeper(Elsewhere this is Lodge Keeper) (Same Employer)
Name & Address of Doctor Pre Enlistment Dr Williamson 1, Walker Terrace Gateshead. Post Discharge Dr Wm.R.Taylor. 1, Walker Terrace, Gateshead.
Date of Attestation 7.8.1915
Name & Address of Ins Society National Amalgamated Approved Society, Euston Square. N.W.1.
Service 1 year 8 months from 7.8.1915 to 31.3.1917
Date of Marriage 5.8.1903
Date of Termination of Active Service 31.3. 1917
Cause of Discharge. Discharged no longer physically fit. (Amputation of right leg).
Gratuity or Pension awarded See Award Sheet
Date of Death 23.9.1926
Cause of Death Cardiac Valvular Disease.
Age at Death 45 years.
Place of Death 13, Prior Street, Gateshead on Tyne
And so after appeals and referrals amounting to more than 2 dozen our Gran was eventually refused a Widows Pension of the 4th July 1927.
Copywrite. GACarter October 2007
Extracts from the diaries and pension can be viewed in full at the P.R.O. Kew.
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