The ‘Hebuterne 1916’ M.M. awarded to Company Sergeant-Major T.
Carter, 1/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Military Medal, G.V.R. (1427 Bndsmn: T. Carter. 1/4 O.&B. L.I.- T.F.)
1914-15 Star (1427 Pte. T. Carter. Oxf:&Bucks LI)
British War and Victory Medals (1427 Pte. T. Carter. Oxf. & Bucks LI)
Defence Medal 1939-45
1935 Jubilee Medal
1937 Coronation Medal
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (200068 Cpl. T. Carter. 4/ Oxf&Bucks LI)
Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R. (5375404 Cl. II. T.Carter. (M.M.) 4 0xf&Bucks LI)
Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Theophilus Carter. M.M.)
M.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916, the original citation states:
‘Hebuterne area July 1915 to July 1916. For consistent devotion to duty, showing great energy in attending to the wounded at all times and under all circumstances, frequently under heavy fire.’
Theophilus Carter was born at Holywell, Oxford on 22 June 1888, the son of John and Elizabeth Carter. Settling in St. Giles he appears upon the 1911 census as a postman, by this time Carter had already joined the Territorial Force.
Mobilised for war he entered the war in France on 29 March 1915 with the rank of Bandsman. The Battalion history notes in its Honours and Awards section that the Carter received the M.M. as a result of his service in the Hebuterne sector. They were present there from July 1915- July 1916, seeing heavy fighting in that time, notably after the start of the Somme Offensive.
Carter was awarded his Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in 1919 (Army Order 178 refers) but was soon discharged. Settling back in Oxfordshire he re-attested for the Territorial Army at Oxford on 14 May 1920 and was advanced Company Sergeant-Major on 30 March 1927.
Awarded his Efficiency Medal in 1932 (Army Order 82 refers) Carter was again working as a postman in Oxfordshire, appearing on the 1939 census in that role. Carer was awarded his Imperial Service Medal in 1948 (London Gazette 24 August 1948 refers). He died at Oxford in November 1956.
Previously sold by DNW in 2020 as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.
The grouping comes complete with research as supplied to us.
