Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert John Carter a shoemaker, born 1847 in North Kilworth, Leicestershire and baptised on the 14th December 1847 in St. Andrew’s Church, North Kilworth (son of John Carter, 1825 and Ann Gamble, 1825) and his wife Sarah Ann Carter (nee Goodman, married on the 23rd November 1885 in the Church of St. Nicholas, South Kilworth, Leicestershire), born in the January quarter of 1858 in South Kilworth and baptised on the 14th March 1858 in the Church of St. Nicholas, South Kilworth (daughter of William Goodman, 1828-1918 and Mary Hughes, 1831-1901). Alfred Ernest Goodman was born in the January quarter of 1883 in South Kilworth, he had one sibling, a sister Adelaide, born in the July quarter of 1886 in South Kilworth and baptised on the 7th November 1886 in the Church of St. Nicholas, South Kilworth, in April 1891 the family home was at Lutterworth Road, South Kilworth. In March 1901 Alfred was absent from the family home at Dixons Court, Bell Street, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a boot maker, his mother and siblings, Margaret Annie, born in the October quarter of 1891 and baptised on the 1st January 1896 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth and George William, born in the July quarter of 1895 and baptised on the 1st January 1896 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth, the latter two siblings were born in South Kilworth and Arthur James, born in the July quarter of 1896 in Lutterworth and baptised on the 1st January 1897 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth. In April 1911, Alfred remained absent from the family home at Dixons Court, Lutterworth, residing there was his father, a boot repairer, his mother and siblings, William, a farm labourer, Annie a domestic nurse girl and Arthur, meanwhile Alfred was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India.
Alfred enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 10th January 1905 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 7614. He gave his place of birth as South Kilworth, near Lutterworth, Leicestershire and age as 21 years 11 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as labourer.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 21 years 11 months, height 5-feet 4 inches weight 132 lbs, chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar of -?- over left -?-. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date. 10th January 1905. Place. Leicester.
After six months service and gymnastic course his height was 5 foot 4 inches, his weight was 147 lbs and had a chest measurement of 37 inches.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Robert, mother, Sarah, brothers William (y), Arthur (y), sisters, Adelaide (y), Annie (y), Dickson Square, Bell Street, Lutterworth, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 12/1/05.
Posted. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 12/1/05.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 4/4/05.
Awarded. 3rd Class Army Certificate of Education. 19/12/08.
Transferred. Section “B” Army Reserve. 13/1/13.
Mobilized. At Leicester. 5/8/14.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/8/14.
Awarded. 14 days Field Punishment No.2 for misconduct. 14/9/14.
Forfeits. 6 days’ pay for absence from 11/10/14 to 16/10/14.
Transferred. Per 17th Ambulance Train. 15/10/15.
Admitted. 15th General Hospital, bronchitis. 15/10/15.
Transferred. To No.7 Convalescent Depot. 24/10/15.
Died in Frodsham Military Hospital, Cheshire. 18/12/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 10/1/05 – 20/9/06. 1 year 254 days.
India. 21/9/06 – 2/1/13. 6 years 104 days.
Home service. 3/1/13 – 8/11/14. 1 year 310 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 9/11/14 – 5/12/15. 27 days.
Home Service. 6/12/15 – 18/12/15. 13 days.
Total Service. 10 years 343 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.