Private Clifford Carter

Private, 20th Battalion, Infantry (Army).

Son of Mary Jane Carter of 36 Quail St., Oldham, England.

CLIFFORD CARTER

Pte. Carter sent a number of letters to Mr. Harris, of the Burlington Gazette,1 during his time at the front lines. These were published in this weekly newspaper. The publication dates for these letters were Oct. 27, 1915; December 1 & 8, 1915; February 2, 1916; and May 3, 1916.

His letter dated Oct. 4, 1915 (publ. Oct. 27/15) is written from billets in Belgium. He writes: "Just a line from the boys from Burlington. We have received our first baptism of fire, as we have had a spell in the trenches, but are now out in reserve billets for a little rest." He mentions constant rain while in the trenches.

A letter dated Nov. 20th, 1915 (publ. Dec. 8/15) thanks Mr. Harris for copies of the Burlington Gazette on behalf of the "boys". He also thanked the Queen's Canadian Military Hospital Committe for tobacco that was received about 5 weeks' previously. He hoped that the sketch of J. Lardie was received and that it might be reproduced in the newspaper. The letter is written from "Bomber's Hut, Somewhere in Belgium". He notes that the weather is cold and rainy and the trenches are in "pretty bad shape".

This letter also notes the death of Pte. G. McLeod, 57686 on Nov 18th, 1915 - "We lost our first Halton rifleman in the battalion, in the person of Pte. G. McLeod, of Acton. He was given as nice a funeral and grave as possible under the conditions. He was sniped off, receiving two wounds, one bullet through the arm, which pierced his lung, and another in the groin. He was a good chum, and will be missed by all who met him." This letter is signed by Carter, Pte. E. Oakes, and R. R. Wooding, and letters should be addressed to the Grenade Platoon.

His letter dated January 14th, 1916 (publ. Feb. 2/16) is written from Belgium. He states that it is 4 months since they arrived in Belgium "...we have been doing trench duty all the time." He also wrote:

"I suppose you will ask what I think of the war and active service. Well, to tell you the truth, I wouldn't give a care if it finished today. For there is nothing beautiful in dodging bullets and whizz-bangs, and living in the mud. The rain fall out here is fierce. It's raining every day, and the mud is terrific.

In the same lines he states that their lines are from 75 to 250 yards from the German front line - "Just a nice range for our grenade guns, and believe me, we do some nice work once in a while."

His letter on April 15th, 1916 (pub. May 3/16) was also from Flanders. He said "...we had a little scrap the other day, but am glad to say all came through safe." At this point he writes that they are in billets further behind the line than since arriving in the trenches 7 months ago - "Believe me it is quite a relief to be away from the guns, especially the Fritz'.

In looking through the Burlington Gazette through the war years, Pte. Clifford Carter was one of the most faithful correspondents. An memoriam notice appeared in the Gazette on August 14th, 1918.

IN MEMORIAM

CARTER. In loving memory of Gren. C. Carter, No. 57600, 20th Canadians, accidentally killed Aug. 13th, 1916.

Somewhere along the battle line,
Marked by a wooden cross,
There lies the body of our dear friend,
Who died for freedom cause.
And though his body lies in France,
Amid the cannon's roar,
We know we will meet him by and by
Where we shall part no more,
"Thy will be done."
- Mr. and Mrs. Waumsley and family.

Carter was mentioned in a letter written by J. Lardie.

Clifford Carter is remembered on the Burlington War Memorial, Brant St.

1Letters on microfilm at the Burlington Public Library.

Written by: M. I. Pirie, 2006