Birthplace:
- Madras, India

Birthdate:
- 26 April 1841

Nationality:
- Not certain

Height:
- 5 feet 9 inches

Family Background:
- Not known

At Sandhurst:
- Not known

Foreign Languages:
- French

Career before Halifax:
- Ensign, 8 February 1861 (purchase)
- Lieutenant, 31 March 1863 (purchase)
- Captain, 16 October 1866 (purchase)

Medals & Awards:
- None

Postings while in NS Command:
- Halifax, 9 May 1869 to 21 April 1871

Married:
- No

Died:
- 24 January 1872

Carstairs' departure from Halifax on 21 April 1871 (for London, England) was on a year's leave of absence. Probably this had to do with ill health, as his death occurred just over a year later, on 24 July 1872.