Carleton, Charles Richard MC (Lieutenant (Captain) d.1955)

The main part of this collection comprises of letters written by Lieutenant Charles (Carl) Carleton to his family, while serving overseas with the 2nd Australian Division. The letters cover the period from Carleton's departure from Australia in 1915 until his return in early 1919. The letters describe Carleton's service with the 6th and 7th Field Companies Engineers including digging trenches, clearing roads and repairing buildings. Carleton also describes everyday life at the front, baths, billets, sleeping arrangements, YMCA/Comfort Funds facilities and the food. For 1916 the letters are supplemented by a detailed diary written by Carleton. In February 1917 Carleton attended an Officer Training School at Deganwy in Wales. During this time his letters home not only describe the training school but fill in some of the details of life on the front. Wounded in the hip in October 1917 Carleton spends time in Hospital and convalescing in England, and in Ireland. Away from the front he again uses this time to write in his letters, to his father in particular, a more detailed account of his activities in France and Belgium. The collection also contains material relating to the awarding of a Military Cross to Carleton for his part in an operation near Zonnebeke on October 4th 1917, and to his work with Legacy from the 1920s until his death in 1955. Carleton also served with the Militia in the 1939 -45 war and attained the rank of Captain.