John Carter was an army surgeon, based for much of his career in Munster, Germany. He was born on 17 December 1929 in Croydon. After national service in the Royal Artillery in Malaya, he studied medicine at King's College, London, qualifying in 1956. Subsequently, he held house appointments at King's College Hospital. He passed the FRCS in 1967 and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was awarded a permanent commission in 1963 and served until 1986, retiring as a Colonel. He was regimental medical officer to the Light Infantry, subsequently serving in surgical appointments in military hospitals in Colchester, Cambridge, Woolwich and Singapore. In the British military hospital at Munster, Germany, as consultant surgeon, he particularly enjoyed the visit of the hospital recognition committee of the College, where he worked to achieve United Kingdom training status. He served on active service with field surgical teams in Belfast, Nepal and the Falklands, where his skills as a military surgeon were fully demonstrated. After further service in Munster, he retired in 1986 after 23 years service. His final appointment was as a civilian consultant in Awali, Bahrain. A skilled and versatile surgeon, he did not suffer fools gladly, but was always caring and popular with patients and colleagues. He had a legendary sense of humour, which at times could be quite cutting. He always enjoyed good company. His wife Liz predeceased him: they had a son and two daughters. He died suddenly from streptococcal pneumonia on 2 December 1998.