[2] In 1853, he entered the Royal School of Military Engineering as an Ensign and was given the provisionary rank of lieutenant on 13 August 1853.

[3] He subsequently attended Addiscombe Military Seminary, where officers were trained for service with the army of the East India Company.

[5] In late 1857 Carter joined the company's Royal Bengal Engineers and was promoted to first lieutenant on 27 August 1858.

[8] On 1 October 1877 Carter was promoted to major in the Royal Engineers,[9] and made lieutenant colonel on 11 December 1886.

[11][12] He subsequently lived with his wife and children at the family residence of Fascadale, in the parish of South Knapdale in Strathclyde (now Ardrishaig, Lochgilphead, Argyllshire).