Longest Serving And Most Good Conduct (Chevrons).

[ChrisKelly]

Escapes me...  Who is this soldier, and what's his story?

[Megan]

Impressive, but not the most awarded - a LCpl. Edward Pearce (1846-1925) achieved 12!

 

This picture shows a Private Arthur Carter of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, who enlisted in 1901 and served until 1951. He earned 10 stripes. The picture was taken in 1948 on the occasion of him being awarded a second bar to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The other people in the photo are the Earl of Powis (Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire), Major General Grover (who was Colonel of the Regiment), and Lieutenant Colonel Shaw-Ball (Commanding Officer, KSLI).

[Marcon1]

So he served for 50 years and in the end he was still a private ?!?!?! - Not really a career soldier than.

I would love to know his military record concerning promotions and demotions - if any, since he earned a 2nd. bar to his LSGC.

[ChrisKelly]

I found these...  Hope it helps!

 

Sources:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/King's_Shropshire_Light_Infantry#:~:text=Private Arthur "Nick" Carter served,member of the British Army.

 

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/306427-6516-private-arthur-‘nick’-carter-–-2ksli-medals/

 

https://www.arrse.co.uk/community/threads/very-old-and-very-bold.310254/

 

From Wikipedia:

 

"Private Arthur "Nick" Carter served with the regiment from 1901 to 1951. He actively served in the Second Boer War (1899–1902) and World War I (1914–1918). When he retired, he was the oldest serving member of the British Army. He earned ten Good Conduct stripes and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with two clasps for 48 years of good service, the only soldier in British Army history to do so."

 

 

 

Addendum:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Conduct_stripe

 

[Megan]

As I understand it, Carter was offered promotion but refused it - at least in part so as to be able to retain the long service stripes, which could not be worn above the rank of lance corporal.