Nelson Victor Carter

He captured their gun and carried wounded men out of danger.

Nelson Victor Carter was born at Eastbourne in 1887 and grew up at Hailsham. He worked in labouring jobs and served two spells in the artillery before medical discharges. He married Kathleen Camfield in 1911 and later worked as a cinema doorman. Re-enlisting in the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1914, he became a company sergeant-major and went to France in March 1916.

At the Boar's Head near Richebourg on 30 June 1916, he led men through heavy fire into the enemy positions. Forced back, he captured a machine gun and killed its gunner with his revolver. He then repeatedly carried wounded men to safety before being mortally wounded.

There was no subsequent career. His remains were identified after the war and reburied in the Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard at Laventie. His widow received his posthumous Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace in May 1917.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack he was in command of the fourth wave of the assault. Under intense shell and machine gun fire he penetrated, with a few men, into the enemy’s second line and inflicted heavy casualties with bombs. When forced to retire to the enemy’s first line, he captured a machine gun and shot the gunner with his revolver. Finally, after carrying several wounded men into safety, he was himself mortally wounded and died in a few minutes. His conduct throughout the day was magnificent.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 8 September 1916. 9 September 1916, Numb. 29740, p. 8870