Nelson Victor Carter

{{short description|Recipient of the Victoria Cross}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox military person

|name = Nelson Victor Carter

|image = Serg Major Nelson Victor Carter VC, Royal Sussex Regiment.png

|image_size = 185

|caption = Carter depicted on a cigarette card

|birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1887|4|6}}

|death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1916|6|30|1887|4|9}}

|birth_place = Eastbourne, Sussex

|death_place = Richebourg l'Avoue, France

|placeofburial = Royal Irish Rifles Churchyard, Laventie, France

|nickname = Nelson

|allegiance = UK

|branch = British Army

|serviceyears = 1914–1916{{KIA}}

|rank = Company Sergeant Major

|commands =

|unit = Royal Sussex Regiment

|battles = World War I

|awards = Victoria Cross

}}

Nelson Victor Carter VC (6 April 1887 – 30 June 1916) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

File:Nelson_Victor_Carter_VC_birth_certificate.JPG

File:VCNelsonVictorCarterGrave.jpg

File:Blue Plaque VC Memorial in Greys Road Eastbourne - geograph.org.uk - 701592.jpg

Carter was born on 6 April 1887 to Richard Carter, of Hailsham; husband of Kathleen Carter, of 33 Greys Road, Old Town, Eastbourne. His date of birth is often stated as the ninth, but his birth certificate states the sixth.{{cite web|url=https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/597484 |title=Casualty Details: Carter, Nelson Victor |work=Commonwealth War Graves Commission |accessdate=1 July 2015}}

He twice enlisted in the Royal Artillery, in 1902 and 1906, both times being later discharged as medically unfit. In September 1914, after the outbreak of the First World War, he re-enlisted in the British Army, going to France with the Royal Sussex Regiment in March 1916.{{cite web|title=Biographic Profile|url=https://vcgca.org/our-people/profile/429/Nelson-Victor--CARTER|website=VC & GC Association|access-date=12 December 2024 }}

He was 29 years old, and a company sergeant major in the 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, when he died during the First World War. He was awarded the VC for his actions on 30 June 1916 at Boar's Head, Richebourg l'Avoue, France:

{{Blockquote|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.{{London Gazette |issue=29740 |page=8870 |supp=y |date=9 September 1916 }}}}

After initial burial in a multiple grave, in the 1920s he was re-interred in the Royal Irish Rifles Churchyard, Laventie, France in Plot VI. Row C. Grave 17.

Carter's VC was presented to his widow, Catherine, by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 2 May 1917 and is now held by the Royal Sussex Regiment Museum, Eastbourne Redoubt, East Sussex. There is a blue plaque on his home at 33 Greys Road in Eastbourne.{{cite news |title=Blue plaque for VC hero |newspaper=Eastbourne Herald |url=http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/features/Blue-plaque-for-VC-hero.3081059.jp |year=2007 |accessdate=27 April 2008}}

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