Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Carter a stonemason, born 1868 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire (son of Samuel carter, 1841-1902 and Elizabeth Spriggs, 1845) and his wife Esther Carter (nee Blundell, married on the 26th December 1890 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Chelveston, Northamptonshire), a boot trade worker, born on the 22nd January 1871 in Hannington, Northamptonshire (daughter of Joseph Blundell, 1829-1874 and Maria Page, 1833-1898). Percy Reginald was born in the January quarter of 1898 in Little Bowden, Northamptonshire, his siblings were, Lilian Gertrude, born in the January quarter of 1891 in Little Bowden, Beatrice Mabel, born in the April quarter of 1893 and Ivy Winifred, born in the January quarter of 1897, the latter two siblings were both born in Desborough, Northamptonshire and Sidney Herbert, born on the 4th November 1894 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, in March 1901 the family home was at Chelveston cum Caldecott, Northamptonshire. Percy’s father died aged 38 years, in the April quarter of 1906 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. In April 1911 Percy was a schoolboy and was residing at Hermitage, Market Harborough, this being the family home of his maternal uncle, Joseph Blundell, a shepherd, born 1861 in Hannington, Northamptonshire and his wife, Harriett Blundell, born 1859 in Poddington, Bedfordshire.
Percy enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 25th August 1915 in Market Harborough, and was allotted the regimental service number 64485. He gave his age as 18 years 189 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as factory hand. He gave his present address as 24, Gladstone Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Market Harborough on the 25th August 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Market Harborough, Leicestershire, declared age as 18 years 189 days, trade or occupation as factory hand, that he was 5-feet 4¼ inches in height, weighed 110 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 29 and 33 inches, his vision was described as 6/6 his physical development was described as will improve. Enlisted at Market Harborough on the 25th August 1915. Joined on enlistment Royal Army Medical Corps.
He gave his religion as Congregational.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Esther Carter, 55, Andrews Street, Northampton.
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 Sheffield. 26/8/15.
Posted. To “S” Company Royal Army Medical Corps. Pte. 27/8/15.
Posted. To T.L., Eastbourne. Pte. 24/9/15.
Posted. To 102nd Field Ambulance. Pte. 24/9/15.
Granted. Fifth rate of Corps pay. 12/10/15.
Reported. Missing. In the Field. 11/4/18.
Death accepted for official purposes, 11/4/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 25/8/15 – 7/1/16. 136 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 8/1/16 – 11/4/18. 94 days.
Total Service. 2 years 230 days.
He was awarded the 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.
The War Diary records: 11 Apr-18 – OUTTERSTEENE. F.4.c.2.6. 11th Thursday. Weather fine.
About 1.00am organised a party of bearers of 104th Field Ambulance and with M.A.W.’s proceeded to Advanced Dressing Station 88th Field Ambulance and along BAILLEUL – NIEPPE ROAD. Lieutenant McNETT, J. S. M.O.R.C.U.S.A. proceeded with bearers of 104th Field Ambulance towards NIEPPE and got into touch with units of the 34th Division and cleared their Regimental Aid Posts.
Received A.D.M.S. M.967.
Evacuations were carried out at above lines by Major P. CARNEY during the morning and till about 6.00pm. Car Post was established at NEUVE EGLISE Cross Roads, but cars were run right up to NIEPPE itself when required, and when possible. Lieutenant J. L. McLAUGHLIN, M.O.R.C.U.S.A with Ford car and bearers cleared the side road South of BAILLEUL – OUTTERSTEENE Road in accordance with A.D.M.S. M.972. About 5.00pm there was a further advance by the enemy on the Right flank. A.D.M.S. M.974 and 976 received. Transport to proceed to VIEUX BERQUIN. The enemy was now closing on OUTTERSTEENE and about 7.00pm it was decided to evacuate, as the M.A.C. cars were reduced to two. It became necessary to use the Divisional M.A.WS. to evacuate the cases at OUTTERSTEENE to Casualty Clearing Station EBBLINGHIM. Major CARNEY with party of bearers sent forward to METEREN to await orders. Went to Advanced Dressing Station BAILLEUL to arrange with Officer Commanding 88th Field Ambulance that cars would report at METEREN on completion of clearing OUTTERSTEENE. I then proceeded to Advanced Dressing Station STRAZEELE with Officer Commanding 88th Field Ambulance and arranged to evacuate to there. A.D.M.S. M.978 received.