Tuesday 17 July 2007

39. Cdr EH Cater RN

Commander Edward H Cater RN was the Naval Transport Officer in charge of landing operations at Anzac Beach. He was killed in action by shrapnel on 5 August 1915. He lies in Beach Cemetery.

From FIVE MONTHS AT ANZAC by JL Beeston:
Towards the end of July great preparations were made for an offensive movement, the object being to take Hill 971 and so turn the Turk's right. ...On the third of August we received orders to remove to the left flank, the right being held by the Australian Division which participated in the operation known afterwards as Lone Pine. The last day on the beach proved to be pretty hot with shelling, chiefly from Beachy Bill. A number of pinnaces were busy all day towing in barges from the transports, and this could be easily seen from the olive grove where Bill had his lair. At one time the shells came over like rain; two of the pinnaces were hit below the water-line, and were in imminent danger of sinking. Through all the shelling Commander Cater ran along the pier to give some direction regarding the pinnaces, but was killed before he got there. He was a brave man, and always very courteous and considerate.












Very speculative, but possible, is the cross just to the right and behind Cater's. This may be Trpr Colin L Douglas 397 of the 4th Australian Light Horse, killed in action on 7 August 1915, aged 20. He lies in Shell Green Cemetery.