Memorial Plaque Returned To WW1 Veteran’s Family

Pauline Davidson, Charles Carter Senior and Charles Carter Junior with the plaque.

A memorial plaque for a local World War 1 veteran has been returned to his family after being re-discovered in storage in St John’s Anglican Church Young.

The brass plaque in memory of John Oswald Carter was originally erected at St Thomas’ Anglican Church Lirambenda and was dedicated by his sister Elinor Peterson, nee Carter after the church was built on land donated by the family.

After the church was sold in 2007, the plaque was stored at St John’s where Parish council member Pauline Davidson found it.

She set about finding information on the serviceman and locating his family so the plaque could be returned.

Born on the 31st of May, 1891, John Oswald Carter was a WW1 Trooper of the 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment.

Also known as Jack, he was the son of James and Mary Carter of Kikiamah.

His older brother was Charles Atkinson Carter, grandfather of Charles Carter of Sydney, formerly of Thuddungra.

He died at sea on the 4th of October, 1915, aged 24, on the hospital ship ‘Assaye’ of wounds received at Gallipoli.

His name is listed on the Lone Pine Memorial at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, where the 110th Anniversary service has recently been held.

During the recent 160th Anniversary celebrations of St John’s Anglican Church in August, the plaque was presented to his great nephew Charles Carter Snr and his son Charles Carter Jnr.

“The Carters were extremely appreciative of the plaque being returned to the family for safe keeping,” said Maree Myhill.