Alfred Carpenter

Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter
Alfred Carpenter in centre of a group
Born	17 September 1881 Barnes, London
Died	27 December 1955
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Rank	Vice-Admiral
Commands held	HMS Vindictive
Battles/wars	1898 Occupation of Crete Boxer Rebellion World War I World War II
Awards	Victoria Cross Légion d'honneur Croix de Guerre[disambiguation needed ] (France)

Vice-Admiral Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter VC (17 September 1881 – 27 December 1955) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was born in Barnes, south west London, the son of Commander Alfred Carpenter and grandson of Commander Charles Carpenter. He attended Bedales School founded by his Uncle Edward Carpenter's close friend John Haden Badley. He was married to Emily Maud Mary Tordiffe 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 the Boxer Rebellion of 1900-01.

He was 36 years old, and a captain in the Royal 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 and served in World War II as a commander of the Home Guard.

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

• Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter's biographic sketch at Find A Grave
• Location of grave and VC medal (Gloucestershire)
• The Raid on Zeebrugge