by Tomeka Fauntleroy

John Robert Carter was born on February 3, 1889 in Nottoway, VA. His father Charles Carter was a farmer, and his mother was Sarah Fowlker, sometimes spelled at Fultz, Carter. John Carter had one older sister and 9 younger siblings. Their names were Aldena, Blanche, Herbert, Helen, Eugene, Maude, Ledyre, Dennis, Bertha, and Charles. 

Prior to this John Carter was inducted into military services on April 15, 1918, On his draft card he listed hie occupation as a labor and that he was a caretaker of his parents. When asked about his services after WWI, Private John Robert Carter said he felt it was his duty to fight for his county. 

After enlisted Private John Carter trained for two and a half months in New Jerey before being shipped out to Liverpool, England. From there John Carters company, Company “B” 540 Engineers went to Camp Standard, France. John Carter later said that he never had a sick day in camp or had his faith shaken by the war. When John traveled to and from on the SS Leviathan. Private John Carter was not married and used his sister Helen as his emergency contact while aboard the Leviathan. 

Private John Carter died April 20, 1950 due to complications from high blood pressure. He was never married or had children. He was laid to rest in the family cemetery.  He was buried in Burkeville, Virginia when a flat military headstone was requested for him. 

Sources:

“Carter, John Robert.” World War I Questionnaires, Virginia War History Commission, Library of Virginia.

“Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVR8-5JMD : 16 August 2019), John Robert Carter, 20 Apr 1950; from “Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850,” database and images, Ancestry(http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing Burkeville, Nottoway, Virginia, United States, entry #, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.