UPDATE: 12 May 2001 SEE update below! Medal of Honor data below. We have his Carpenter ancestry! VICTORIA CROSS: (WE NEED HIS ANCESTRY!) NAME: Alfred Francis Blakeney CARPENTER Rank: Vice-Admiral Royal Navy (Then Captain) VC won: Zeebrugge, Belgium, 22-23 April 1918 London Gaz: 23 July 1918 Born: Barnes, SW London, 17 September 1881 Died: 27 December 1955, Nr. Lydney Grave: Gloucester Crematorium, Gloucestershire Location of VC: Imperial War Museum, Kennington Remarks: Elected by ballot http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/gloucest.htm 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. Other honors: Croix de Guerre and Legion d'Honneur (France) http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/awards/c/0187.html ***************************************** Dear Folks, The Victoria Cross is the English version of the American Medal of Honor. Both are the highest medal that their respective countries can bestow for bravery. As most of you know, the American General LOUIS H. CARPENTER won the Medal of Honor as a Captain with the during a forced march to the relief of Colonel Forsyth on the Arickaree Fork of the Republican River, Colorado, and for the combat on the Beaver, in the Indian campaign of 1868. An English Carpenter in 1918 was given it for his action in World War I. His name was Alfred Francis Blakeney CARPENTER. See below. I am interested in finding his Carpenter Ancestry. In one record I note that he is of Cornish Ancestry, yet he was born in Barnes, South West of London England. If anyone can help add information to him and his ancestry, I would appreciate a message. Thank You, John R. Carpenter La Mesa, CA E-MAIL me at: jrcrin001@home.com NAME: Alfred Francis Blakeney CARPENTER Rank: Vice-Admiral Royal Navy (Then Captain) VC won: Zeebrugge, Belgium, 22-23 April 1918 London Gaz: 23 July 1918 Born: Barnes, SW London, 17 September 1881 Died: 27 December 1955, Nr. Lydney Grave: Gloucester Crematorium, Gloucestershire Location of VC: Imperial War Museum, Kennington Remarks: Elected by ballot http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/gloucest.htm 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. Other honors: Croix de Guerre and Legion d'Honneur (France). http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/awards/c/0187.html ****************************************** Re: Carpenter who got the Victoria Cross Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2000 15:24:04 -0000 From: "Gill M Carpenter" John I have the Service of dedication and unveiling of a memorial to Vice Admiral A C Blakeney Carpenter. Plus several paper cuttings and photographs I have Charles Carpenter 1754-1831 Deputy Steward of Cornwall Gt, Grnd, Uncle of Capt. A.C.Blakeney.Carpenter R.N. V.C I have 1881 Alfred Charles Blakeney Carpenter Son of Capt, Alfred Carpenter and Henrietta Maud ay Byfeild Cottage Barnes Surrey. ****************************************** Based on the above I searched and found in the IGI a Spouse for Alfred Carpenter Spouse: Henrietta Maud SHADWELL Marriage: 16 Jul 1879 St. Alphage, Greenwich, Kent, England FamilySearch™ Pedigree Resource File Alfred Carpenter Compact Disc #6 Pin #45246 Parents: Spouse: Henrietta Maud Shadwell Disc #6 Pin #45240 Marriage: 16 Jul 1879 Place: St Alphege,Greenwich,Kent,England NOTE: No Ancestry given. SPOUSE data: Henrietta Maud Shadwell Compact Disc #6 Pin #45240 Birth: 3 Nov 1858 Place: ,Barnes,Surrey,England Christening: 29 Dec 1858 Place: ,Barnes,Surrey,England Death: 27 Oct 1889 Place: Burial: Place: ,Bournemouth,Hampshire,England Father: George Augustus Frederick Shadwell Disc #6 Pin #45234 Mother: Frederica Breton Disc #6 Pin #45236 NOTE: Ancestry given on Disc #6 ************************************** Sun, 19 Nov 2000 08:36:04 -0000 From: "Gill M Carpenter" To: "John Carpenter" Dear John Find below last two pages from The Service of Dedication of A F B Carpenter. Note:- father Alfred Carpenter. Also he was married twice. I have born 16/11/1853.Beatrice dtr, of 5th Baron of Walsingham, future wife of Admiral Walter C Carpenter, Future research needed Connection Whittington and Carpenter. St Mary's, St Briavels Lydney, Gloucestershire Attached press cutting of the Admiral receiving V C. From King GeorgeV. Tony VICE?ADMIRAL ALFRED FRANCIS BLAKENEY CARPENTER, V.C., R.N. Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter was born at Barnes, Surrey, on 17th September 1881, the only son of Lieutenant (later Captain) Alfred Carpenter, Royal Navy, and came from a family with a tradition of Naval service. Following private education, he entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet at HMS Britannia in 1897. The following year (as a Midshipman) he saw action during the Crete Massacres, and in 1900 was with the Naval Brigade which landed during the infamous Boxer. Rebellion in China. Specialising in navigation, he was promoted Lieutenant in 1903 and Lieutenant Commander in 1911. In 1913 he joined a War Staff Course and became experienced in Staff duties. In the same year, he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Silver Medal for saving life at sea. At the outbreak of the Great War he was on board HMS Iron Duke on the staff of Sir John (later Earl) Jellicoe. Promoted Commander in 1915, he was appointed as Navigating Commander of HMS Emperor of India. Later (in 1917) he successfully begged leave to join Roger (later Lord) Keyes, with whom he had served in the 'Venus', who had been appointed Director of Plans at The Admiralty. There, he was engaged in the formulation of the plans for attacking Zeebrugge and Ostende, the purpose of which was to block the exits from the Submarine and Destroyer Bases ? a strategically important Naval Base. In his memoirs Keyes wrote:? "Commander Carpenter's gift for going into the minutest details with the most meticulous care greatly assisted me in preparing a detailed plan and orders embodying the work of several Officers." Carpenter was appointed Acting Captain and selected to command HMS Vindictive by Keyes who knew he had chosen a man familiar with all the main phases of the operation. The concept had all the elements and spirit of the cut and thrust raids of Drake and Hawkins. Wind and tide conditions favoured the eve of St. Georges Day 1918, and gave the expedition "romantic" appeal. In reply to Keyes' signal "St. George For England", Carpenter signalled "May we give the dragons tail a damned good twist." Even though Carpenter took his ship 340 yards beyond her planned position (an error freely admitted by Carpenter), this achievement is not to be underrated. Bringing his ship alongside was the key to the success of the operation. In his first despatch, Keyes paid tribute to Carpenter's personal share in the attack pointing out that "Carpenter's calm composure when navigating mined waters and bringing his ship alongside the mole in darkness, and his great bravery under fire, did much to encourage similar behaviour on the part of his crew, and thereby contributed greatly to the success of the operation." Carpenter, as senior surviving Officer, was asked to make recommendations for conspicuous gallantry, but he replied that he felt if would be invidious to select individuals where everyone had acted so splendidly, nor would he take part in any ballot which was arranged for an Officer and a Rating for the V.C. in accordance with the Rules. In this ballot, Carpenter received one more vote than Commander (Sir) Harold Campbell, and was thus awarded the Cross. He was immediately confirmed in his promotion to Captain, and was later awarded the Croix De Guerre with Palm and made an Officer of the Legion of Honour. For their heroism, the men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines were awarded eight Victoria Crosses ? among them was Captain Carpenter, whose memory we honour today. After Zeebrugge, Carpenter was sent on a Lecture Tour of Canada and the United States (1918?1919), and on his return ? after a brief time in Naval Intelligence ? was appointed to command a War Course for Officers at Cambridge on 1st October 1919. In 1921 he assumed command of the Light Cruiser "Carysfort", and in 192'~ he was given charge of the Senior Officers Technical Course at Portsmouth. From February 1924 to September 1926 he was triple appointed Captain of the Dockyard, Deputy Superintendent and King's Harbourmaster of Chatham. In August 1927 he took command of the Benbow transferring to the Marlborough the following May. He was promoted Rear?Admiral in August 1929, and placed on the retired list on which he was promoted Vice Admiral in 1934. During retirement, Carpenter interested himself in the Merchant Navy, particularly in the training of Junior Officers and Cadets. He introduced the idea of a training ship, The St. Briavels, in which they could gain practical experience of ship handling, manoeuvring and mooring. During 1940?1944 he commanded the 17th Gloucestershire (Wye Valley) Battalion of the Home Guard. In 1945 he was made Director of Shipping at The Admiralty, and in 1946 was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Gloucestershire. In 1903 he, married Maud (died 1923) by whom he had a daughter. He married secondly in 1927 Hilda Margaret Alison. After a very long and distinguished career, Vice?Admiral Carpenter, V.C. died peacefully at his home in St. Briavels on 27th December 1955. His portrait, painted in 1918 by Sir A.S. Cope, is in the National Portrait Gallery. *********************************************** MEDAL OF HONOR INDIVIDUAL DATA RIN:4066 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name:Louis Henry CARPENTER Brig. Gen. Sex:M ID No: Birth:11 Feb 1839 Place:Glassborough,,NJ Chr: Place: Marr: Spouse: NEVER MARRIED Death:Aft 1912 Place:Philadelphia,Philadelphia,PA Burial: Place: Father:Edward CARPENTER 2nd-2969 Mother:Anna Maria HOWEY-4071 Notes -------------------------------------------------------------------------- !Number 383 in the Samuel Carpenter 1912 book. Page 100, 126 and 127. !General LOUIS H. CARPENTER won the Medal of Honor as a Captain with the 10th Cavalry (Regular Army - AKA "The Buffalo Soldiers") during a forced march to the relief of Colonel Forsyth on the Arickaree Fork of the Republican River, Colorado, and for the combat on the Beaver, in the campaign of 1868. Brevetted Colonel for gallant conduct in an engagement with the Cheyenne and Sioux Indians in 1868. He was appointed Captain on 28 July 1866 of "D" company, 10th Cavalry and served with them for thirteen (13) years of continuous Indian wars. He was respected by his men and his company had the lowest desertion rate of the regular army during his charge. His ability to train and lead was notable and he was mentioned in the official reports for Gettsburg and in an order issued by General Sheridan concerning combat on the Beaver Creek in Kansas. LOUIS entered the army, dropping out in his junior year of college, as a private in the U.S. Cavalry; promoted second lieutenant, 6th Cavalry, July 17, 1862, and first lieutenant Sept. 28 1864. Was brevetted from first lieutenant to lieutenant-colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct. He served in the following campaigns during the Civil War; The Peninsula, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville (in Stoneman's raid to the rear of Lee's army), The Wilderness (as aide-de-camp to Major General Phillip H. Sheridan), Siege of Petersburg, The Shenandoah Valley, Richmond (Sheridan's raid) and Trevillian Station (as a colonel in charge of a regiment of volunters). He was Director of cavalry instruction at Fort Riley, Kansas as Lt. Col, 7th Cavalry (1892-1897). President of the Board to Revise Cavalry Tactics for the United States Army. Promoted to Colonel, 5th Cavalry in 1897. Appointed brigadier general of volunteers May 1898 (Spainsh-American War) and commanded 1st Division, 3rd Corps at Chickamauga and afterwards of the 3rd Division, 4th Corps at Tampa, Florida. Later order to Cuba to occupy the Providence of Puerto Principe with a force consisting of the 8th Cavalry, 15th Infantry, regulars, and the 3rd GA volunters, the first troops to take station in Cuba after the Battle of Santiago. Appointed Military Governor of the providence and remained there until in July 1899. He returned to NY and was appointed Brigadier-General U.S. Army. He retired at his own request on Oct. 19, 1899 having served over thirty eight years. !Captain Louis H. Carpenter On the morning of October 17, 1868, Captain Carpenter sent Lt. Myron Amick, along with 10 troopers and a civilian scout, down Shortness Creek looking for the Indians, while he led the main body down the Beaver river. At nightfall Captain Carpenter encamped with the stock inside a wagon corral and soon thereafter Lt. Amick returned to report the discovery of pony tracks crossing the rear of his line of march. On October 18, while the rest of the command packed up for the return to Fort Wallace, Captain Graham volunteered to make a short search farther downstream. Graham, along with two troopers, trotted away but had gone no more than a few hundred yards when a small party of warriors rushed to cut him off from the main body. Captain Graham and his troopers spurred their mounts toward the creek, with bullets snapping past their ears. Meanwhile, Lt. Amick and 30 men charged the Indians and drove them off. When Cpt. Graham and Lt. Amick rejoined, the whole command moved off, crossing to the north side of the Beaver river. As they did so, some 200 Indians came up from the south side of the stream. Gunfire raged from both sides. Captain Carpenter was content to duel at a distance and continued his march with H Company on the flanks and front, and I company covering the rear. Shortly after midday the Indians disappeared, only to return half an hour later with hundreds of reinforcements. They attacked the column on the front, flanks, and rear. Fearful of being caught in the creek bottom, Captain Carpenter turned off and took his stand on a small knoll. He formed his wagons in the shape of a horseshoe, with the mules facing inward. The troopers rode inside, dismounted, and then formed up outside the horseshoe, in open order. The Indians immediately charged but were repulsed by the fire of seven Spencer rifles, killing three within fifty feet of the wagons. The Indians then circled, firing into the wagons, suffering additional casualties as the buffalo soldiers returned a steady accurate fire. No longer green troops, these H and I company soldiers could hold their own with any troops in the army! As the afternoon wore on, the Indians drew off and Captain Carpenter moved down and encamped next to the water alongside the Beaver river. "Wolves" howled around the camp all night, but there were no further attacks. When morning came, the command set out for Fort Wallace. On October 21, the command reached Fort Wallace. During nine days Captain Carpenter had marched his command 230 miles, killing ten Indians, and wounding a larger number, while his command sustained only three wounded. As a direct result of his actions, General Sheridan personally recommended Captain Louis H. Carpenter for a Medal of Honor! !Civil War: He was a Lt. Col. then Col. commanding F&S of the 5th US Colored Calvary. Film Number M589 Roll 15. ********************************************************* UPDATE 12 May 2001 CARPENTER, Vice-Admiral Alfred Francis Blakeney, V.C. Born 17th September 1881, in Barnes, south-west London, the son of the late Captain Alfred Carpenter, D.S.O. He married (1st) in 1903 Maud (who died 1923), the daughter of Revd. Stafford Tordiffe, and they had one daughter; He married (2nd) in 1927, Hilda Margaret Alison, daughter of the late W. Chearnley Smith, M.B., C.M. Educated at private school. Joined the Royal Navy, 1896; Sub-Lieutenant, 1901; Lieutenant, 1903; Lieutenant Commander, 1911; Commander, 1915; Captain, 1918; Rear-Admiral, 1929; service in Crete during massacres, 1898, and in China, Boxer Rebellion, 1900 (Medal); specialised in Navigation, 1903, and in War Staff, 1913; received thanks of Admiralty for several inventions; Humane Society Medal for saving life at sea, 1913; served European War - Admiral Jellicoe's Staff, July 1914-November 1915; Navigating Commander H.M.S. Emperor of India, November 1915-November 1917; Admiralty War Staff, 1917 and 1918; Commanded H.M.S. Vindictive at Zeebrugge during attack on 23rd April 1918 (special promotion and awarded Victoria Cross, Officer of Legion of Honour, Croix de Guerre avec palme; described in fuller detail elsewhere); lecturing tour through U.S.A. and Canada, 1918-1919; In Command of War Course for Naval Officers at Cambridge University, 1919-1920; Command of H.M.S. Carysfort in Atlantic Fleet, 1921-23; Captain of Chatham Dockyard, 1924-26; Command of Benbow, 1926, Marlborough, 1927-28; retired list, 1929; Vice-Admiral, retired, 1934; Home Guard, 1940-44; O.C. 17th Glos. (Wye Valley) Bn.; Shipping Director 1945. The Victoria Cross that he was awarded is in the Imperial War Museum, Kennington, London Publications: The Blocking of Zeebrugge, 1921. Recreations: garden and billiards. Address: "Chantersleur", St. Briavels, Gloucestershire. Clubs: Author's English-Speaking Union. Died 27th December 1955, near Lydney. His grave is in Gloucester Crematorium, Gloucestershire The Action that won him the award of the Victoria Cross On 22nd and 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 began 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. [A fuller description of the plans and actions are to be found in his book "The Blocking of Zeebrugge", published in 1921] OUR LATE FATHER, LDG SEAMAN HERBERT CAPON, RN GUNNER, SERVED UNDER CAPTAIN CAPENTER ON THE BATTLESHIP, HMS MARLBOROUGH OF THE IRON DUKE CLASS FROM 1st MAY 1928 TO 6th NOVEMBER 1928. E-MAIL: Sun, 13 May 2001 14:35:42 +0100 From: "Tony Brown" To: Hello John I downloaded your web page on Captain A.F.B. Carpenter V.C., and found the contents most interesting and have slightly updated my information on him with the information that you had found. I have send one page attachment and all the information has been gleaned from the "Who Was Who" which happily gives his father's name so I am not sure if this is new information for you, but I do hope that there is a little something that will increase your knowledge base on him. As I have explained on the Carpenter Message Board, my interest is not so much on a Carpenter Family History base but rather on my own family history - i.e. The Royal Naval Career of my late father, Leading Seaman Herbert Capon. As well as collecting together information on the Ships that he served on I am also attempting to find out information and photographs on all of the Captains, (and Lieutenant-Commanders of the smaller ships), that he served under. As my research progresses I shall undoubtedly come across his photograph and probably more information and shall pass it on to you as and when I find it - If you want it that is! One question would be Do you have a copy of his Navy Papers which would should his record of service in the Royal Navy - if not I could try and get a copy next time we are in the Public Record Office (P.R.O.) in London. Let me know if you have it; and if you require it (That's if it has not already been destroyed - I would think and hope not) King regards from Janet Capon-Brown,. Mrs, and my sisters.