Biography:
Arthur Thomas Bonham Carter was born 24 May 1869, the third son of John Bonham-Carter M.P, Fellow of Winchester College, 1873-1884, of Adhurst St. Mary, Petersfield, and his second wife, the Hon Mary Baring, daughter of Lord Northbrook. His cousin was Captain Guy Bonham-Carter (H 1897-1901), who was killed in action 14 May 1915 - see individual entry.
Arthur came Winchester College from St George's Preparatory School in Ascot in September 1883 and was in H House, Bramston's. He shot for Wimbledon VIII in 1887. The same year he went up to Trinity College, Cambridge, taking his degree in 1890.
In 1894 he was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple and joined the Western Circuit. On the outbreak of the South African War of 1899-1902 he offered his services and obtained a commission in the 1st Volunteer Company of the Hampshire Regiment. From 1902 to 1914 he held various judicial appointments in the Transvaal and British East Africa, and when the European War broke out he was First Puisne Judge of the High Court at Mombasa. He immediately undertook the organisation of the Mombasa Town Guard and served for several months with the Defence Force as Director of Military Supplies.
Arthur returned to England and joined the 3rd Batallion (Special Reserve) and was posted to the 1st Batallion Hampshire Regiment. His British Army Medal Roll Index Card indicates that he went to France on 8 February 1916 and it was as Company Commander near Beaumont Hamel that he was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916.
He is buried in Grave XV1.D.13 of the Serre Road Cemetery No 2; and is also commemorated by a plaque in St Mary's Church, Buriton, Hampshire, and on the First World War Roll of Honour at the Nairobi Club in Kenya.
NOTE: All Hampshire Regiment officers present on the first day of the Battle of the Somme were either killed or wounded. Therefore, as the Regimental diary was not written up this makes first hand details of of the actions of the Hampshire Regiment on that day sketchy.