- Alfred Carpenter
Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter VC (17 September 1881 - 27 December 1955) (VC,
Croix de Guerre andLegion d'Honneur (France)) was an English recipient of theVictoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Born in Barnes, SW
London , son of Commander Alfred Carpenter and grandson of Commander Charles Carpenter. He attendedBedales School founded by his UncleEdward Carpenter 's close friendJohn Haden Badley . He was married to Henrietta Maude Shadwell and after her death in 1923 to Hilda Margaret Chearnley-Smith.Prior to
World War I he saw naval service in Crete in 1898 and during theBoxer Rebellion of 1900-01.He was 36 years old, and a
captain in theRoyal Navy during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.On 22/23 April 1918 at
Zeebrugge ,Belgium , Captain Carpenter was in command of HMS "Vindictive", navigating mined waters and bringing the ship alongside the Mole in darkness. When "Vindictive" was within a few yards of the Mole, the enemy started and maintained a heavy fire from batteries, machine-guns and rifles. Captain Carpenter supervised the landing from "Vindictive" on to the Mole, walking the decks, encouraging the men. His power of command, personal bearing and encouragement to those under him greatly contributed to the success of the operation.Awarded by ballot. He later achieved the rank of
Vice-Admiral .His Victoria Cross is displayed at the
Imperial War Museum "(London, England)".References
*
Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)External links
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8024065 Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter's biographic sketch] at
Find A Grave
* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/gloucest.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Gloucestershire)"
* [http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~mck/victori6.htm The Raid on Zeebrugge]
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