Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter
Captain, Royal Navy
- Register No.
- 187 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- Royal Navy (register: HMS Vindictive) all HMS Vindictive VCs →
- Date of action
- 22–23 April 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 23rd July 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 17th September 1881 at Barnes, Surrey
- Died
- 27th December 1955 at St. Briavils, Gloucestershire
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
, On 22nd/23rd 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 his men. His power of command, personal bearing and encouragement to those under him greatly contributed to the success of the operation
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CARPENTER, Alfred Francis Blakeney. (reg No. 187).
Captain Royal Navy.
Gazetted 23rd July 1918.
Born on 17th September 1881 at Barnes, Surrey.
Died on 27th December 1955 at St. Briavils, Gloucestershire.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: , On 22nd/23rd 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 his men. His power of command, personal bearing and encouragement to those under him greatly contributed to the success of the operation..
Additional information: Vice-Admiral Carpenter was awarded the VC by ballot. He also held the Royal Humane Society's bronze medal for life-saving, the Croix de Guerre and Legion d'Honneur (France). From 1940 to 1944 he commanded the 17th Gloucester Battalion of the Home Guard. He was the Director of Shipping at the Admiralty in 1945. His book The Blocking of Zeebrugge was published by Herbert Jenkins Ltd.
Additional information
Vice-Admiral Carpenter was awarded the VC by ballot. He also held the Royal Humane Society's bronze medal for life-saving, the Croix de Guerre and Legion d'Honneur (France). From 1940 to 1944 he commanded the 17th Gloucester Battalion of the Home Guard. He was the Director of Shipping at the Admiralty in 1945. His book The Blocking of Zeebrugge was published by Herbert Jenkins Ltd.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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