Peter Carpenter was born in Cardiff, Wales, to Peter S. and Jane Carpenter, who had eight other children. The elder Peter Carpenter was a ship's pilot who owned his own boat and worked the Bristol Channel and Western Approaches. Carpenter attended the National School in Grange Town, Cardiff, until age 14. He was a rugby union star at school. He apparently worked for a printer immediately after leaving school. At age 17, he joined Spillers & Baker Company as a clerk; around 1910, he became a representative for them at their Stockport office.[2]
Infantry service
He joined the Public Schools Royal Fusiliers in 1915 and was assigned to 24 Training Battalion as an instructor. He played rugby on his battalion team. He transferred to 19 Battalion and went to France with them as a sergeant on 14 November 1915. He also played for this battalion's rugby team until he broke his leg during a match. He was then transferred to the Home Establishment. From there, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps,[2][3] being appointed a probationary temporary second lieutenant on 17 March 1917.[4]
Flying service
Carpenter began his flying career with 5 Reserve Squadron; his first flight was on 21 March 1917. He soloed on 7 April after five hours dual instruction. He moved on to advanced training after accumulating another seven hours 40 minutes stick time. In this phase of training, with 34 Reserve Squadron, he crashed on 11 June after engine failure. He was unhurt. He graduated advanced training with 84 hours flying time, and was assigned to fly a Sopwith Camel with 45 Squadron on 14 September 1917.[2]
On 20 September, he dove on four Albatros D.Vs near Ypres, Belgium, fired 30 rounds at one, and drove it down out of the fight. After a short fight with the other three, he made his exit.[2]
He destroyed his next four opponents, becoming an ace on 15 November.
45 Squadron was then transferred to the Italian Front. Carpenter went with it, and destroyed three more enemy aircraft during January 1918.[1] On 29 January, three days after win number eight, he went on home leave until 20 February.[2]
Upon his return, he was transferred to 66 Squadron as "B Flight" leader, effective 27 February. He marked his first day as a flight leader with his ninth triumph.[2]
On 30 March 1918 his flight, consisting of himself, Harold Ross Eycott-Martin and Alan Jerrard, was involved in the combat that resulted in the Victoria Cross award to Jerrard; Carpenter claiming one of the six Albatros fighters claimed destroyed in this fight (although Austro-Hungarian records indicate three aircraft were only damaged).[5]
His 24 claims consisted of 15 destroyed, 2 shared destroyed, and 7 'out of control'.[1]
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Within a period of the last three months he has brought down six enemy machines, four of which were observed to crash to the ground, the remaining two being shot down completely out of control. The offensive tactics pursued by this daring and skilful officer have produced most successful results.[6]
(M.C. gazetted 4 March 1918.)
Bar to Military Cross
T./Capt. Peter Carpenter, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led an offensive patrol against seven of the enemy; three were destroyed. Again he led a patrol of three machines against six of the enemy; two of them were destroyed and one driven down out of control. Later, with two other pilots he engaged twelve hostile machines, of which three were destroyed and one driven down out of control. He shot down several machines himself.[7]
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed nine enemy machines, and driven three down out of control. He has led forty-six offensive patrols. On one occasion twelve enemy aircraft were attacked, and on another he led two other machines against nineteen of the enemy, destroying six of them. He has at all times shown a magnificent example.[8]
Carpenter founded a shipping company after the war, but it fell victim to the Great Depression, and he took a position as general manager at the London office of the Metropolitan Life Company of New York, later taken over by Legal & General. Carpenter stayed with the company until he retired. During World War II he served in No.13 Company, 20th Battalion, Middlesex Home Guard.[2]
Carpenter died on 21 March 1971.
References
Notes
^ abc"Peter Carpenter". The Aerodrome. 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
^ abcdefgGrech, John (2012). "Carpenter, Peter DSO MC* MiD**". 66 Squadron, RFC & RAF, 1916 to 1919. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
^"No. 30845". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 August 1918. p. 9563.
^"No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10884.
^"No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10864.
^"No. 30989". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 November 1918. p. 12978.
Franks, Norman (2003). Sopwith Camel Aces of World War I. London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN978-1-84176-534-1.
Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell (1990). Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN0-948817-19-4.
August 23, 2023
peter, carpenter, this, article, about, welsh, pilot, american, philanthropist, peter, carpenter, captain, december, 1891, march, 1971, welsh, fighter, world, credited, with, victories, born, 1891, december, 1891cardiff, walesdied21, march, 1971, 1971, aged, g. This article is about the Welsh pilot For the American philanthropist see Peter F Carpenter Captain Peter Carpenter DSO MC 6 December 1891 21 March 1971 was a Welsh fighter ace in World War I credited with 24 victories 1 Peter CarpenterBorn 1891 12 06 6 December 1891Cardiff WalesDied21 March 1971 1971 03 21 aged 79 Golders Green Middlesex EnglandAllegianceUnited KingdomService wbr branchBritish ArmyRoyal Air ForceYears of service1915 1918RankCaptainUnitPublic Schools Royal FusiliersNo 45 Squadron RAFNo 66 Squadron RAFAwardsDistinguished Service OrderMilitary Cross amp BarBronze Medal for Military Valour Italy Contents 1 Early life 2 Infantry service 3 Flying service 4 Military honours 5 Post war career 6 ReferencesEarly life EditPeter Carpenter was born in Cardiff Wales to Peter S and Jane Carpenter who had eight other children The elder Peter Carpenter was a ship s pilot who owned his own boat and worked the Bristol Channel and Western Approaches Carpenter attended the National School in Grange Town Cardiff until age 14 He was a rugby union star at school He apparently worked for a printer immediately after leaving school At age 17 he joined Spillers amp Baker Company as a clerk around 1910 he became a representative for them at their Stockport office 2 Infantry service EditHe joined the Public Schools Royal Fusiliers in 1915 and was assigned to 24 Training Battalion as an instructor He played rugby on his battalion team He transferred to 19 Battalion and went to France with them as a sergeant on 14 November 1915 He also played for this battalion s rugby team until he broke his leg during a match He was then transferred to the Home Establishment From there he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps 2 3 being appointed a probationary temporary second lieutenant on 17 March 1917 4 Flying service EditCarpenter began his flying career with 5 Reserve Squadron his first flight was on 21 March 1917 He soloed on 7 April after five hours dual instruction He moved on to advanced training after accumulating another seven hours 40 minutes stick time In this phase of training with 34 Reserve Squadron he crashed on 11 June after engine failure He was unhurt He graduated advanced training with 84 hours flying time and was assigned to fly a Sopwith Camel with 45 Squadron on 14 September 1917 2 On 20 September he dove on four Albatros D Vs near Ypres Belgium fired 30 rounds at one and drove it down out of the fight After a short fight with the other three he made his exit 2 He destroyed his next four opponents becoming an ace on 15 November 45 Squadron was then transferred to the Italian Front Carpenter went with it and destroyed three more enemy aircraft during January 1918 1 On 29 January three days after win number eight he went on home leave until 20 February 2 Upon his return he was transferred to 66 Squadron as B Flight leader effective 27 February He marked his first day as a flight leader with his ninth triumph 2 On 30 March 1918 his flight consisting of himself Harold Ross Eycott Martin and Alan Jerrard was involved in the combat that resulted in the Victoria Cross award to Jerrard Carpenter claiming one of the six Albatros fighters claimed destroyed in this fight although Austro Hungarian records indicate three aircraft were only damaged 5 His 24 claims consisted of 15 destroyed 2 shared destroyed and 7 out of control 1 Military honours EditMilitary Cross MC T 2nd Lt Peter Carpenter Gen List and R F C For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty Within a period of the last three months he has brought down six enemy machines four of which were observed to crash to the ground the remaining two being shot down completely out of control The offensive tactics pursued by this daring and skilful officer have produced most successful results 6 M C gazetted 4 March 1918 Bar to Military CrossT Capt Peter Carpenter M C Gen List and R F C For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty He led an offensive patrol against seven of the enemy three were destroyed Again he led a patrol of three machines against six of the enemy two of them were destroyed and one driven down out of control Later with two other pilots he engaged twelve hostile machines of which three were destroyed and one driven down out of control He shot down several machines himself 7 Distinguished Service Order DSO T Capt Peter Carpenter M C R A F For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty He has destroyed nine enemy machines and driven three down out of control He has led forty six offensive patrols On one occasion twelve enemy aircraft were attacked and on another he led two other machines against nineteen of the enemy destroying six of them He has at all times shown a magnificent example 8 Bronze Medal for Military ValourLieut T Capt Peter Carpenter D S O M C Conferred by the Government of Italy 9 Post war career EditCarpenter founded a shipping company after the war but it fell victim to the Great Depression and he took a position as general manager at the London office of the Metropolitan Life Company of New York later taken over by Legal amp General Carpenter stayed with the company until he retired During World War II he served in No 13 Company 20th Battalion Middlesex Home Guard 2 Carpenter died on 21 March 1971 References EditNotes a b c Peter Carpenter The Aerodrome 2014 Retrieved 29 September 2014 a b c d e f g Grech John 2012 Carpenter Peter DSO MC MiD 66 Squadron RFC amp RAF 1916 to 1919 Retrieved 29 September 2014 Franks 2003 p 80 No 30012 The London Gazette 10 April 1917 p 3411 Shores et al 1990 No 30845 The London Gazette Supplement 13 August 1918 p 9563 No 30901 The London Gazette Supplement 13 September 1918 p 10884 No 30901 The London Gazette Supplement 13 September 1918 p 10864 No 30989 The London Gazette Supplement 1 November 1918 p 12978 Franks Norman 2003 Sopwith Camel Aces of World War I London UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 84176 534 1 Shores Christopher F Franks Norman amp Guest Russell 1990 Above the Trenches A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915 1920 London UK Grub Street ISBN 0 948817 19 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Peter Carpenter amp oldid 1165992194, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
