Albert Desbrisay Carter

Infobox Military Person
name=Albert Desbrisay Carter


caption=
born=2 June 1892
died=22 May 1919
placeofbirth=Point de Bute, New Brunswick, Canada
placeofdeath=Shoreham, Sussex
nickname=
allegiance=British Empire
branch=Royal Flying Corps
serviceyears=
rank=Major
unit=No. 19 Squadron
commands=
battles=World War I
awards= Distinguished Service Order & Bar
Croix de Guerre (France)
relations=
laterwork=

Albert Desbrisay Carter DSO & Bar (2 June 1892 - 22 May 1919) was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with 28 victories.

Life and career

Albert Desbrisay Carter was born in Point de Bute, New Brunswick.

Carter originally joined the 13th Reserve Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was commissioned in 1911. In May 1917, although he already held the rather senior rank of major, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps Number 1 School of Military Aeronautics. On 7 July 1917, he was remanded to Number 1 Training Squadron. Later that month he moved on to Number 20 Training Squadron.

He finished his training with Number 56 Training Squadron in August. On 1 October 1917, Carter received an assignment to Squadron 19, where he remained until war's end. On the 31 October, he opened his career with an Albatros D.V destroyed and another German plane driven down out of battle. On 13 November 1917 he became an ace on the third of the six victories he would score that month. By the end of the year, on 29 December, he would score his fifteenth and final triumph flying a Spad.

and sent another one down out of control. He would score an even dozen times flying the Dolphin, with his final success falling in flames on 16 May 1918. His final tally was 14 enemy driven down out of control and 14 destroyed. Seven of his victories were shared with other pilots. The majority of his victims were fighter pilots.

On 18 March, Major Carter was shot down by German ace Lieutenant (Leutnant) Paul Billik. Carter fell behind German lines, survived the crash, and was captured. He finished his war in a prisoner of war camp. He received the Distinguished Service Order, while in prison, on 18 July. It was followed by the award of a Bar, equivalent to a second award, on 16 September 1918. He was repatriated on 1 December 1918.

Carter then joined the Canadian Air Force and was posted to Squadron 123. On 22 May 1919, Carter was killed in a flying accident while test flying a Fokker D.VII; the plane broke up under him. He was buried at Shoreham, Sussex, England.

Text of citations

Distinguished Service Order

"Maj. Albert Desbrisay Carter, Infy., and R.F.C.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He destroyed two enemy aeroplanes, drove down several others out of control, and on two occasions attacked enemy troops from a low altitude. He showed great keenness and dash as a patrol leader."

Bar to Distinguished Service Order

"Maj. Albert Desbrisay Carter, D.S.O., New Brunswick R., and R.A.F.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a fighting pilot. In three and a half months he destroyed thirteen enemy machines. He showed the utmost determination, keenness and dash, and his various successful encounters, often against odds, make up a splendid record.

Carter also received the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

References

* http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/carter1.php Accessed 2 September 2008.
* http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/carter.htm Accessed 2 September 2008.
* "British and Empire Aces of World War I". Christopher Shores. Osprey Publishing, 2001.