Charles Frederick Carson


Sir Charles Frederick Carson was a Canadian soldier and engineer who saw active service in both World Wars as a member of the British Army.

Education

Carson was born in Kingston, Ontario, the son of Canadians Robert James Carson and Emma Lavinia Casey. He was enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada in from 1905–09. He served as college battalion sergeant-major in 1907–08.

Military service

Carson was commissioned as a regular officer of the Royal Engineers. He was posted to India in 1911 with the 9 Railway Company Sappers. He served as general manager of the North West Railway of India. During the First World War, he served in France and was awarded the Military Cross in 1917:
In 1941, he served as director of transportation, 10th Army, with headquarters at Baghdad with the Persia-Iraq Force in the maintenance of railways. Since it looked as if Iraq, Persia and Turkey would become a battle area during World War II, the British forces in these areas were strengthened. A new command called Persia and Iraq Force was formed in September, 1942, with headquarters at Baghdad. Carson served as director of transportation for Iraq and Persia.

Civilian career

Carson was appointed executive vice president of Montreal Locomotive Works Ltd, manufacturers and suppliers from 1944 to 1951.

Awards and recognition

Carson was knighted in the 1941 New Year Honours for his work on railways. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1943 in recognition of his services in Persia-Iraq. He was awarded a MC in the 1917 New Year Honours.

Family

Carson married Dorothy Anne Brownfield, with whom he had three sons, Colonel Robert John Carson, Colonel Frederick Sinclair Carson and Peter James Carson, and a daughter, Patricia.