Faith Today met up with Louis’ mum Denise to reflect on the heroic witness of her son who died laying down his life for a fellow soldier and his country.

Denise readily admits that knowing that Louis was on the front line in Afghanistan fighting for his country was a constant worry: ‘To be honest, when he was put on the front line it worried me to death.’ Deep down she knew, though, that being a soldier was what Louis had always wanted to do. ‘As a child he was always dressing up as a soldier and even when in nursery school, he used to come home, get his combat clothes on, his fancy-dress clothes, and he used to put muck on his face and say, “Look, Mum, I’m a soldier”.’

As I went upstairs it hit me that something was terribly wrong and I shouted out, “Not my Louis!”
Denise’s life changed forever, however, on Sunday 16 August last year. She was alone in the house and was enjoying the peace and quiet of a relaxed Sunday morning. She was in her dressing gown, drinking coffee, looking back on an enjoyable night before, which she had spent celebrating her sister’s fiftieth birthday. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. It was 9.30 in the morning. She says honestly, ‘I didn’t think anything would ever happen to my Louis. Although I worried about him it never actually entered my mind that anything would really happen to him. I know that sounds strange but being a soldier was always something that he had wanted to do and I just thought he would always come through.

‘I opened the door and I saw these very well-dressed gentlemen standing outside on my doorstep. Before I could say anything they said my name “Mrs Carter” and I said “Yes”, and then the other one said, “Louis’ Mum?” and I said “Yes”. I was embarrassed standing there in my dressing gown and I didn’t know who they were or anything, so I just shut the door, saying, “Just wait a minute, I’ll run upstairs.” As I went upstairs it hit me that something was terribly wrong and I shouted out, “Not my Louis!”

‘After getting changed I went downstairs and let them in. Before they could say anything I said: “Don’t tell me, it’s not true, is it...?” And then they told me that Louis had been killed out on patrol. They said it happened in the early hours of the morning and he was out on foot patrol and that he died trying to save his Section Commander James Fullarton’s life.  Louis was the first aider that day and James had stepped on an IED [Improvised Explosive Device] and Louis had worked to stabilize him. But as he stretchered James away he stepped back onto an IED.

‘To be honest, the news of Louis’ death didn’t really sink in at first. When I was first told I just froze and went into a kind of daze really. But because I was the first to be informed I had to tell everybody else, which was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. The hardest of all was telling my son Sam over the phone because he was on holiday. Sam has taken the death of his brother very hard but he has been strong and is always there for me.

Louis said that he was grateful that he had God in his life and that this gave him peace.‘It has always given me strength and consolation that Louis died doing what he always wanted to do. We are a military family: my dad was in the army and my grandad before him and several of my uncles were army men. Louis’ grandad (my dad) had a profound influence on him and they would talk for hours about the war and he would show off his medals.  

‘I shall never forget his coming home after his first leave from Afghanistan. He said that he’d seen things that had made him a man. He thanked me that he’d been brought up Catholic as it meant such a lot to him and to me as well. He said often that he was grateful that he had God in his life and that this gave him peace. He said to me once in a letter: “Mum, I’m not afraid of dying; what will be, will be. And I don’t want you to worry about me.”  

‘Louis’ funeral was the hardest day of our lives but the army were really brilliant with me and with us as a family. I can’t thank them enough for what they did. I can remember the day of the funeral very well. Everything that happened on that day and everything they did for him was beautiful and very moving.

‘It was amazing to see how for such a young man Louis had touched so many people’s lives. Of course, like every teenager he had what I call his “Kevin and Perry” moments as I encouraged him to go to Mass. I used to say to him, “One of these days, you will thank me for this.” And when he finally did, I thought to myself, “I’m so glad I encouraged him because it meant so much”.’
Fr Philip Harrop, Parish Priest of Our Lady and the Angels, Nuneaton, gave this reflection on Louis’ courageous witness: ‘Louis’ death far away in Afghanistan seems an unlikely setting for hope, or for something beautiful. Yet in how he died and in the way he died – trying to save a comrade, a brother in arms – there is a great deal that is awesome: in Louis we now see incredibly clearly a maturity, a bravery, a generosity that is truly remarkable.

‘On Louis’ coffin, along with the crucifix and the Gospel Book, lies a candle. It isn’t an expensive one or an elaborate one. But even so, it is a candle of tremendous life-changing significance. It was a candle handed to Denise and Mick, and to his godparents on 3 November 1991 – Louis’ baptism day here at Our Lady’s. And as he handed it to them the priest said: “Receive the light of Christ…May he keep the flame of faith alive in his heart.”

‘The time when Louis was called from this world was a time none of us would have hoped for or expected. And yet it has come. But I know from things he said to his mum that the flame of faith was alive in his heart – a faith that quelled his fear of the future, of what may come – that whatever happened, he was in God’s hands.’

Bishop Richard Moth, Bishop of the Forces said of Louis’ death: The death of a loved one in a far-away land, engaged in armed conflict, will always be a difficult burden to carry.  The fact that Louis gave his life in an effort to save his Section Commander is a most powerful example of the self-less sacrifice of those called to serve in Afghanistan.
The fact that Louis gave his life in an effort to save his Section Commander is a most powerful example of the selfless sacrifice of those called to serve in Afghanistan. They are involved in making the lives of others better, but are asked to do this by following a very hard road themselves.  For this all our servicemen and women deserve our respect and support.

‘May Louis’ life of faith – and the spirit of self-sacrifice that he showed right to the end – continue to be an inspiration to many.  

‘May his family and all those families who face the death or injury of a loved one know the care and love of those around them. ‘