Career

Carlson spent his early childhood in Adelaide and almost died at the age of six following an incident with a train. He had been sitting in a cart beside a shop when the horse became uncontrollable and backed onto railway tracks, just as a train was approaching. The train ran over the cart and Carlson was thrown out upon impact.

With only a minor scalp wound, Carlson was later found safe under the train after it had stopped.

Now living in Western Australia, Carlson captained Wentworth, a junior club in Fremantle, before joining Easts. He was a wingman in East Fremantle"s 1914 premiership team and also played in their 1918 premiership side, as a centre half back.

He was also a leading district cricketer and represented Western Australia in three first-class matches. Playing as a right handed top order batsman, he could only make 14 runs in his five innings.

This included a pair against Victoria at the Fitzroy Cricket Ground, when he opened the batting and was bowled by Bert Ironmonger in each innings.