Welcome Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen.



Welcome Lords, Ladies and Gentlefolk.

This blog will be devoted to my literary and cosplay interests and stories set in my own alternative historical steampunk background. I hope people enjoy the stories, as much as I enjoy devising and writing them and that it stimulates their own artistic interests, entertains them or if nothing else fires their own imaginations.

A special note to new readers of this blog, the entries "Nation States" are gazetteers of the nations as they exist in the An Age of Steam, Steel and Iron background, each with a few remarks/observations about each nation as they exist within. Any post headed by the title containing the words "Story Snippet" or "Fragments" is a stand alone, snapshot of the background, they will be developed into fuller stories in future, but at present they serve to give the viewer/reader a measure of what this world is like, what is going on in it and who some of the players are. Full stories, will be headed by their title and a roman number, as they will generally be in several parts.

Comments, suggestions or remarks by readers are welcomed.

I would like to thank the following people:

Yaya Han, for getting me seriously interested in cosplay at a time when things were looking very glum for me back in 2006 with several extended stays in hospital due to illness, and motivating me to get actively involved.

Ashley Du aka UndeadDu, for her unfailing friendship and cheerful support since we first met in 2014 at the Hamilton Comic Con, and for being my Cosplay mentor and advisor.

Sara Marly, for her interest in and support for my writings, since we first met in 2016 at the Hamilton Comic Con and incidently helping me make up my mind to finally do this.

Stephen Thomson, my friend, for his advise and assistance with creating and setting up this blog.

Daniel Cote, my friend and co-worker for his advise and friendship over the years.

The People of the The Aegy's Gathering (particularly Jonathan Cresswell-Jones, Scott Washburn and Jenny Dolfen, all of whom I have kept in contact with over the years), who were brought together in friendship by a certain randomness of chance and a common interest in the Honor Harrington books and stayed together despite distance and the strains of life.

The People of the Wesworld Alternative History website, who gave me the opportunity to sharpen my writing and story telling skills while directing the affairs of Lithuania and briefly France during their 1930s timelines.

My parents Mary Ellen (1946 - 2019) and Logan, my siblings Adam and Danika and various friends both online and at work and play for putting up with me, encouraging and supporting me both in the very good times and the very bad times.

I remain as always yours very sincerely, your obedient servant, Matthew Baird aka Sir Leopold Stanley Worthing-Topper








Wednesday, March 21, 2018

My Own Family Connection to the Victorian Era: Lieutenant-Commander H.F. Carter, M.V.O., RN

Lieutenant-Commander H.F. Carter, M.V.O., R.N. (Ret.), joined the British Royal Navy in 1886 and served in H.M.S Frobisher as an acting gunner and subsequently served in several other vessels, eventually becoming Gunner of the H.M.S. Thrush (colonial gunboat of the Redbreast-class, laid down 1889), who's first officer was His Royal Highness Prince George, the Duke of York*. Subsequently he was transferred to H.M.S. Crescent (1st-class protected cruiser of the Edgar-class, laid down 1890), who's commanding officer was again his Royal Highness the Duke of York. Carter later served aboard the H.M. Yacht Victoria and Albert for eight years and was promoted to Lieutenant and honoured with membership in the Royal Victorian Order.
 
H.F. Carter had retired in May 1914 but was recalled to active duties in July 1914 and served until the end of World War One. He was honourable demobilized at the end Great War and received a final promotion to Lieutenant-Commander sometime in March, 1919. He died in retirement at the age of 74 at his home in North End, Portsmouth.
 
He received at least three medals during his Royal Navy service, the Royal Victorian Order's Member of the 4th or 5th-class, and two other medals which from his photographs I have not yet positively identified. Though I suspect the center decoration and the one on the side closest to the shoulder are service medals of some sort.
 

 
* Prince George, the Duke of York, later became His Royal and Imperial Majesty King George V of Great Britain and Ireland, and Emperor of India in 1910.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)