John was an exceptionally fine gentleman who enjoyed sharing his knowledge at Antique Arms meetings every month. Such was his vast knowledge of naval matters, we used to joke he started his naval career as ship’s boy for Noah and was a close advisor to Vice-Admiral Nelson.
Chief Petty Officer John Carter joined the Royal Navy on American Independence Day 1950 as a 15-year-old seaman boy. His initial training took place at the training establishment ST VINCENT and onboard the frigate HMS WIDEMOUTH BAY in the North Sea. After this training period he undertook a seaman gunner course at the training establishment HMS PEMBROKE and was consequently posted to the destroyer HMS ARMADA which then sailed to the Mediterranean to join the British Fleet for three years. From HMS ARMADA he transferred to the cruiser HMS SUPERB which was bound for the West Indies.
While he was in the West Indies, Carter’s parents immigrated to New Zealand, so in 1955 he transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy and took up his first posting in the RNZN as a gunnery instructor at HMNZS TAMAKI on Motihue Island, a duty he would perform many times throughout his career in the RNZN. Carter’s first RNZN ship was the cruiser HMNZS ROYALIST in which he spent a great deal of time and is particularly eloquent on that ship’s armament.
In 1959 Carter was part of the commissioning party for HMNZS OTAGO, which carried out her work up and sea trials from the United Kingdom across to Copenhagen. The ships delivery voyage to New Zealand was then embarked on through the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean via India, Ceylon and Singapore, arriving in Fremantle in Australia on New Years Eve. On his return to New Zealand, Carter did another stint as an instructor at HMNZS TAMAKI before joining the frigate HMNZS ROTOITI for 60 South latitude, 900nm south of Bluff, in order to provide up to date weather reports and an air sea rescue service to Operation Deep Freeze aircraft.
Time onboard the frigate HMNZS TARANAKI followed, when that ship was involved in the Borneo conflict, chasing kumpets (boats) and earning the entire crew a General Service Medal. After TARANAKI, there was another trip to the ice in ENDEAVOUR, before Carter took on the role of Training Chief at HMNZS TAMAKI for five years. Carter retired with the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 1984.
In 1988 John Carter became a member of staff at the Navy Museum, where he remained until his retirement in April 2000.
Antique Arms Obituary:
John Leonard Carter, a founding member of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Antique Arms Association and a lifelong naval man with salt in his veins, passed away at midday on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 in Christchurch, aged 91. He had moved there in later years to live with his daughter.
Born in 1935, John joined the Royal Navy at 15 as a young seaman and later transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy, where he rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer – the highest non-commissioned rank. True to his practical nature, he preferred to remain hands-on rather than move into commissioned officer roles that involved excessive paperwork. His service included two voyages to the Antarctic, experiences he recalled with characteristic understatement and quiet pride.
John was one of the founding members of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Antique Arms Association in 1969, alongside Noel Pollard, Ray Carvell, Brian Cameron, Ed Smith and Doug Dykzeul. He was a steadfast and valued presence at branch meetings for decades. Members could always rely on him for an interesting talk, delivered with knowledge, humour and that ready smile that so many will remember.
His collecting interests centred on naval related black powder arms. Among his prized pieces was a fine Nock volley gun. He also assembled an extensive collection of swords, especially naval swords, and took great pleasure in a beautifully crafted brass cannon made for him by Paul Farmer – a true work of art. A special enthusiasm for Lord Nelson was reflected in his possession of a handsome model of HMS Victory.
John’s deep knowledge of naval history and his extensive collection of naval items, combined with his willingness to share both items and stories, enriched the Auckland Branch for many years. He will be greatly missed by fellow members for his expertise, his good company, and the interesting pieces he so readily brought along to meetings.
Fair winds and following seas, John.
