Michelle Carr

Michelle Carr is a graphic designer, former Royal Navy medic and the great-great-great niece of Victoria Cross recipient Frederick Barter VC MC. Her interest in Fred began through family stories and memories passed down through the generations, and grew into years of research through military records, newspapers, archives and family history. Michelle has previously written two children’s books, but this is her first historical biography and the most personal book she has ever written.

Frederick Barter was a reservist who went on to receive the Victoria Cross, Military Cross and Russian Cross of St George, but behind those medals was a quiet and remarkably understated man.

Drawing on family memories, military records, newspapers, photographs and years of research, this book follows Fred from his early life in Cardiff, through the First World War, his service with the Gurkhas and in India, and into the quieter years that followed.

It is not simply the story of a decorated soldier, but an attempt to understand the man behind the medals and to tell his story as fully and honestly as possible.