Page 130 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

128 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Valetes
Ed Carter
Edward Carter — yes, another Carter, and yes, another Ed from
Cirencester — commissioned from the Royal Military Academy
in April 2020. Owing to the pandemic, this moment marked the
first parade in combat dress since the Second World War. Joining
A Squadron pre-phase 2, Ed swiftly found himself deployed on
Op RESCRIPT, tackling COVID-response tasks with 3rd Troop.
The summer of 2020 saw Ed embark on the Light Cavalry
Troop Leaders’ course in Bovington, a moment he met with
unbridled enthusiasm. Whether it was duck flighting, shooting,
hunting, spear fishing — if it involved field sports, Ed and his
ever-faithful companion, Tarzan (his dog, though we initially
thought it was his wild alter-ego), were on the hunt.
Back at regimental duty, Ed’s adventures continued: first to
‘FOB Pontins’ for more COVID-related tasks, then on to Cyprus
for live range packages, and finally to Louisiana for Ex RATTLE-
SNAKE. Ed has always been a staunch believer that you can
get all the vacation you need in the UK, his first ever visit to the
United States was a revelation. Watching this man of Kent, who
was more accustomed to living off the land, navigate the land
of ultra-processed foods and marvel at ‘yams’ was a spectacle
in itself.
In November 2021, Ed deployed on Op
NEWCOMBE 3 in Mali and quickly carved a niche
for himself. His route recce back-briefs — equal
parts insightful and David Attenborough-esque —
earned him the affectionate moniker ‘Radio Carter’.
We jested about his animal-track identifications
and lessons in local fauna, but truth be told, his
knowledge was invaluable. It felt less like a military
operation and more like an expertly narrated nature
documentary.
Post-Mali, Ed found himself being scoped for a
job in RHQ. The prospect of the ten-week RSO course back
in Bovington reignited his enthusiasm. True to form, Ed threw
himself into it with gusto. Whether extolling the virtues of
skywave propagation or detailing the latest multi-mode radios,
Ed’s passions shone brightly. But his greatest legacy as RSO?
Wi-Fi. Thanks to the Ed Carter Commemorative Wi-Fi, even
the squash courts and respirator testing facilities now enjoy
connectivity.
His greatest
legacy as
RSO? Wi-Fi. Radio Carter
In 2024, Ed bid farewell to his first love, the 1st
The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, and gave in to his
other passion: directional drills. His fascination with
them was legendary—none of us were surprised it
would one day lure him away. It was only a matter of time after
during Ex RATTLESNAKE, he halted the vehicle to chat with a
directional drill crew.
Today, Ed resides in Cheltenham with his diligent and
endlessly patient wife, Lara, and their son, Felix. With a name
like that, it’s only a matter of time before Felix dons the QDG cap
badge himself.
ZAK