Arthur was the son of Samuel and Agnes Carter of No. 18, Old St., Kates Hill, Dudley.

According to the Dudley Herald he was employed at the colliery of Messrs Elwell & Co at Bunn’s Lane, Dudley and was the youngest of the six Carter brothers serving in the Army. The 1911 Census Return states that the family had borne 13 children, of whom only nine survived.

Volunteering in late 1914 he arrived in France as part of a reinforcement draft on 18th May 1915. Killed in action on 25th September 1915 in the Battle of Loos, aged 19, his name is on the Loos Memorial to the Missing; it also appears on the war memorial in St John’s, Kates Hill.

Loos is a coal-mining town in the north of France, and the slag heaps and pit winding gear in the area would have been a reminder of home. The 1st South Staffs attacked Cite St Elie and The Quarries, and suffered heavily; over 400 men were lost.

Writing the battalion War Diary after the action, Lt Col R M Ovens’ words bear reproducing here:

“To make a long story short, the gallant 1st Bn South Staffordshire Regiment rose to their feet at 6.28 am on the 25th September 1915, on the order to “Advance” being given, they advanced in extended order at about 3 paces interval between men and moved steadily forward against this almost impregnable position. They stormed it, took the 2nd or Support Line and what remained of this magnificent Regiment moved on and with other Corps mixed up with them captured “The Quarries” and some of them under the C.O. went up to within about 50 yards of the German position at the Cite St Elie". 

Lt Col Ovens was fortunate to survive the attack: 29 battalion commanders had been killed during the duration of the battle.

The Carter brothers were the subject of a short article in the Dudley Chronicle, where the family’s service was detailed: “The sons’ ages range from 29 to 19, and two of them are married. Thomas (married) is in the 3rd Grenadier Guards, now at the front; James belongs to the 3rd Worcesters, who have done such gallant deeds; Alfred is in the 9th Worcesters, and is now stationed at Tidworth; Samuel is in the same regiment and at the same place; Joseph (married) is in the 13th Worcesters, stationed in Cornwall; and Arthur is in the South Staffs, stationed at Plymouth. This appears to be “the record” for Dudley borough”.

The Birmingham Daily Gazette published the contents of a letter received by Mr. Carter in December 1914: “I have the honour to inform you that the King has heard with much interest that you have at the present moment six sons in the army. I am commanded to express to you the King’s congratulations, and to assure you that his Majesty much appreciates the spirit and enthusiasm which prompted this example in one family of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire. I have etc. F M Ponsonby, Keeper of the Privy Purse.”

This letter was framed and proudly displayed in the family home. His brother Samuel served with the 9th Worcesters, and lost his life in April 1916. Only four of the Carter sons would return home. Arthur's name is carved on the walls of Dudley's civic war memorial in Priory St alongside his brother Samuel's; they are also remembered on the war memorial at St John's, Kate's Hill.

(This story is based on his entry in the book “Dudley’s 1914-1918 War Memorial and the Men commemorated – 2nd Revised & Expanded Edition” by J. B. E. Hale. The book is published by Amazon, and there is also a Kindle version.)