Born in Pass Island, Hermitage Bay, Newfoundland,[1] Carter, educated at Church of England School, Pass Island and Bishop Feild College, St. John's served in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment from 1917 to 1919.[1] In 1941 he joined the Canadian Army to fight in World War II and discharged with the rank of Major in 1946.[1] Carter entered politics in 1949, following Newfoundland's entry into Canadian Confederation, and was elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal in the 1949 federal election. He was re-elected in 1953, 1957 (when he was elected by acclamation),[2] 1958, 1962, 1963 and 1965.[1] On July 8, 1966 he was appointed to the Senate where he remained until he retired on July 28, 1977.[1]