Gerald Carter was born on 5 August 1886, the son of Brigadier General F C Carter, CB, and Clare Louise Carter. He joined the Royal Navy in September 1901.

He joined submarines as a Sub Lieutenant in August 1908 and, after promotion to Lieutenant, he was appointed to HMS B5 as First Lieutenant in February 1909. Appointment to C22 as First Lieutenant followed in March 1909. His first command came in December 1910 to HMS A2, followed by C33 in December 1911.

HMS C33 was sunk after hitting a mine on 4th August 1915 and was lost with all hands. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on Panel No. 7.