In Giavera British Cemetery Arcade, Italy is the Commonwealth War Grave of 205155 Private William Harrison Carter serving with the 20th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 05/12/1917.

William Harrison Carter was the son of William and Elizabeth Carter. In 1911 he was living with his wife of five years Rhoda nee Heslop at 32 Marshall Terrace Gilesgate Moor Durham.

William enlisted into the 20th (Service) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry on the 2nd April 1917, and served in France from the 21st July 1917.

Later that year the 20th moved to Italy where he was killed in early December. There was some confusion and his wife was told he had died in France. Later in 1919 Rhoda was told his body had been exhumed and moved to another cemetery. A second letter admitted their mistake.

William and Rhoda had no children of their own but had adopted Annie Heslop born 24th June 1913 in Boulby Yorkshire.

Rhoda’s address in Gilesgate is given as either Berwick Lodge or Barracks Lodge.

The Auckland Chronicle 29/04/1920 reports:-
Mr and Mrs George Heslop of Rough Lea Terrace have erected a striking monument in the Hunwick Graveyard, in memory of three young men of their family who fell in the great war. It stands a good height above the rest of the monuments. On one of the four block facings is the following inscription:-
Erected by George and Margaret Heslop in loving memory of their son John G. Heslop fell in action March 28th 1918 aged 26 years: and their grandson John Hook fell in action April 23rd 1917 aged 20 years: also their son in law William Carter fell in action in Italy Dec. 5th 1917 aged 35 years.

See John G Heslop and John Hook’s stories.

Sources: The Western Front Association; The British Newspaper Archive;

William is remembered at Durham on D47.41, also in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance, page 327 and in the Battalion History, where the incorrect initials are D.N. are shown, with the service number 205155.