Charles Frederick Carson

Brigadier Sir Charles Frederick Carson CBE MC (10 February 1886 – 3 May 1960) was a Canadian soldier and engineer who saw active service in both World Wars as a member of the British Army.[2]

Sir Frederick Carson
Birth nameCharles Frederick Carson
Born10 February 1886[1]
Kingston, Ontario
Died3 May 1960(1960-05-03) (aged 74)
Montreal, Canada
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankBrigadier-General
UnitRoyal Engineers

Education

Carson was born in Kingston, Ontario, the son of Canadians Robert James Carson and Emma Lavinia Casey. He was enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada in from 1905 to 1909. He served as college battalion sergeant-major in 1907–08.[2]

Military service

Carson was commissioned as a regular officer of the Royal Engineers. He was posted to India in 1911 with the 9 Railway Company Sappers. He served as general manager of the North West Railway of India. During the First World War, he served in France and was awarded the Military Cross in 1917:[3]

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was responsible for building a cavalry track enabling the cavalry to pass through and beyond the infantry during an attack. Having successfully completed his work under heavy artillery fire, he went forward and reconnoitred a crossing over a river under very heavy fire of all kinds, and brought back most valuable information. His fearless example and determination throughout were admirable.

— London Gazette, 11 October 1918

In 1941, he served as director of transportation, 10th Army, with headquarters at Baghdad with the Persia-Iraq Force in the maintenance of railways. Since it looked as if Iraq, Persia and Turkey would become a battle area during World War II, the British forces in these areas were strengthened. A new command called Persia and Iraq Force (PAIFORCE) was formed in September, 1942, with headquarters at Baghdad. Carson served as director of transportation for Iraq and Persia.[4][2]

Civilian career

Carson was appointed executive vice president of Montreal Locomotive Works Ltd, manufacturers and suppliers from 1944 to 1951.

Awards and recognition

Carson was knighted in the 1941 New Year Honours for his work on railways.[5] He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1943 in recognition of his services in Persia-Iraq. He was awarded a MC in the 1917 New Year Honours.[2]

Family

Carson married Dorothy Anne Brownfield, with whom he had three sons, Colonel Robert John Carson, Colonel Frederick Sinclair Carson and Peter James Carson, and a daughter, Patricia.[2]

References
  1. Ontario, Canada Births, 1858-1913
  2. "Obituary: Sir Frederick Carson". The Times. The Times Digital Archive. 4 May 1960. p. 15.
  3. "No. 30950". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 October 1918. p. 12057.
  4. Brigadier Sir Godfrey Rhodes, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. Aid to Russia Through the Persian Gulf The Empire Club of Canada Speeches 1945–1946 (Toronto, Canada: The Empire Club Foundation, 1946)
  5. "No. 35087". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 February 1941. p. 1152.
Additional sources
  • Dr. Adrian Preston & Peter Dennis (Edited) Swords and Covenants Rowman and Littlefield, London. Croom Helm. 1976.
  • Dr. Richard Arthur Preston To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College of Canada 1997 Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1969.
  • Dr. Richard Arthur Preston Canada's RMC - A History of Royal Military College Second Edition 1982
  • R. Guy C. Smith (editor) As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember. In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876–1918. Volume II: 1919–1984. Royal Military College. [Kingston]. The R.M.C. Club of Canada. 1984
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