Born on 5th January 1893 in Worcestershire, Captain Cartland was killed in action on the first day of the Somme, 1st July 1916, aged 23.

He was the only son of George Howard Cartland Esq (Barrister, 1853-1934) and Lilian Cartland (nee Sanders, 1863-1951) of Bevere Cottage, Henwick, near Worcester. He had a sister named Dorothy (1889-1981).

Known as “Trevor”, he started at Saint Ronan’s at the beginning of the Winter term in 1905 and, following examinatio,n was placed in the ScholarshipCclass.

Commenting on football prospects it was said of him “Cartland is a fairly good kick” and “Cartland played extremely well at back”.

Whilst at Saint Ronan’s it was noted that “he was liked and respected by everyone; he was a boy of very perfect character; quiet and reserved in manner, he had, notwithstanding, a great strength of affection for those who knew him. He never did a mean or petty action, and his mind was one of unsullied purity. He was a power for good in the School and a very perfect type of young English gentleman. In 1906, he was the best bat in a strong XI and, besides being in the Foortball Team, he was a Prefect and a member of the Scholarship Class”.

In 1906 he entered Winchester where he was in Mr Blore’s house. The Ronian noted that it had received: “excellent accounts of G. T. Cartland from Winchester; he will be remembered as a prominent member of our 1906 cricket team”.

In 1911, it reported that: “During a recent visit to Winchester, we saw G. H. Cartland for the first time for three years; apart from the fact that he is now about six feet high, he has changed but little.”

Whilst he took an active part in school life, he was a most enthusiastic member of The Archaeological Society. He was a distinguished draughtsman, with his skills being demonstrated in “Winchester: Its History, Buildings and People” (published in 1913), where several of his illustrations are found.

 
Illustrations by G T Cartland for “Winchester: It’s History, Buildings and People” (published in 1913)

On leaving Winchester in 1911, he passed into the Royal Military College at Sandhurst where he had a distinguished career. The following year, he achieved an extremely fine performance in the passing out Examination from Sandhurst. He came out top of the whole list, thereby winning the King’s Sword and Gold Medal, which was awarded by Queen Victoria, and also the first prize for Combined Subjects.

Trevor was gazetted in September 1912 to the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade and went to France with them in 1914. At the outbreak of war, he was on General Hunter Weston’s staff in France. When this was broken up, owing to the movement of troops to the East and General Hunter-Weston’s subsequent promotion to commander in the Gallipoli campaign, Captain Cartland rejoined his regiment.

He was appointed Adjutant and shortly aftewards was Mentioned in Despatches for “gallant and distinguished conduct in the field”.

The Regiment took part in the Retreat from Mons and the Battle of the Marne.

He was killed in action between Serre and Beaumont-Hamel on 1st July 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. He was one of eight officers killed or missing that day. He is buried at Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France.

He played cricket for the Greenjackets and in regimental matches and it is believed that he was a member of Worcester County Cricket Club where he is commemorated on the Club war memorial.

The following is a copy of a letter from General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston, on whose staff he served at the outbreak of the War, to Captain Cartland’s mother, received 11th July 1916:
“My Dear Mrs Cartland, I cannot tell you how deeply I sympathise with you in the terrible loss that not only you and your husband, but I his friend, and the country, have incurred by the death of that capable officer and gallant gentleman, your son Trevor. He was killed with his Colonel in the centre of the great attack on the German position, between Beaumont-Hamel and Serre, where the 1st Rifle Brigade covered themselves with glory by their discipline, courage, and determination. It was a magnificent attack. The fine training and discipline of the 1st RB, were not a little due to the work and example of your gallant son. For him, himself, one cannot grieve. He has died as he would wish to die, in action, at the head of his men, gladly giving his life for his country. It is for you I grieve, and I cannot say how deeply. Yours sincerely,
Aylmer Hunter-Weston (signed)