Albert Desbrisay Carter
Encyclopedia
Albert Desbrisay Carter DSO & Bar
(2 June 1892 – 22 May 1919) was a Canadian
World War I
flying ace
credited with 28 victories.
.
Carter originally joined the 13th Reserve Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was commissioned in March 1911. In May 1917, although he already held the rather senior rank of major, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Number 1 School of Military Aeronautics. On 7 July 1917, he was remanded to Number 1 Training Squadron. Later that month he moved on to Number 20 Training Squadron. He finished his training with Number 56 Training Squadron in August.
destroyed and another German plane driven down out of battle. On 13 November 1917 he became an ace on the third of the six victories he would score that month. Also in November, he became a flight leader. By the end of the year, on 29 December, he would score his fifteenth and final triumph flying a SPAD
.
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His next victories would not come for another two and a half months. He had an opportunity when he engaged enemy two-seaters, but was thwarted by a broken gunsight on his newSopwith Dolphin. Then, on 15 March 1918, he destroyed one Pfalz D.III
and sent another one down out of control. He would score an even dozen times flying the Dolphin, with his final success falling in flames on 16 May 1918. His final tally was 14 enemy driven down out of control and 14 destroyed. Seven of his victories were shared with other pilots. Twenty of his 28 victims were enemy fighters.
On 18 March, Major Carter was shot down by German ace Lieutenant (Leutnant) Paul Billik
. Carter fell behind German lines, survived the crash, and was captured. He finished his war in a prisoner of war camp. He received the Distinguished Service Order
, while in prison, on 18 July. It was followed by the unprecedented bestowal of a Bar, equivalent to a second award, on 16 September 1918. He was repatriated on 13 December 1918.
and was posted to No. 123 Squadron . On 22 May 1919, Carter was killed in a flying accident while test flying a Fokker D.VII
; the plane broke up under him. He was buried at Old Shoreham Cemetery, Shoreham, Sussex
, England.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He destroyed two enemy aeroplanes, drove down several others out of control, and on two occasions attacked enemy troops from a low altitude. He showed great keenness and dash as a patrol leader."
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a fighting pilot. In three and a half months he destroyed thirteen enemy machines. He showed the utmost determination, keenness and dash, and his various successful encounters, often against odds, make up a splendid record.
Carter also received the Belgian Croix de Guerre.
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(2 June 1892 – 22 May 1919) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 28 victories.
Early life and career
Albert Desbrisay Carter was born in Point de Bute, New BrunswickPoint de Bute, New Brunswick
Point de Bute is a community in Westmorland County in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada.Point de Bute is the birthplace of World War I flying ace, Albert Desbrisay Carter and the scientist Edwin Colpitts....
.
Carter originally joined the 13th Reserve Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was commissioned in March 1911. In May 1917, although he already held the rather senior rank of major, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
Number 1 School of Military Aeronautics. On 7 July 1917, he was remanded to Number 1 Training Squadron. Later that month he moved on to Number 20 Training Squadron. He finished his training with Number 56 Training Squadron in August.
Service as a fighter pilot
On 1 October 1917, Carter received an assignment to No. 19 Squadron, where he remained until war's end. On 31 October, he opened his career with an Albatros D.VAlbatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
destroyed and another German plane driven down out of battle. On 13 November 1917 he became an ace on the third of the six victories he would score that month. Also in November, he became a flight leader. By the end of the year, on 29 December, he would score his fifteenth and final triumph flying a SPAD
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
.
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
and sent another one down out of control. He would score an even dozen times flying the Dolphin, with his final success falling in flames on 16 May 1918. His final tally was 14 enemy driven down out of control and 14 destroyed. Seven of his victories were shared with other pilots. Twenty of his 28 victims were enemy fighters.
On 18 March, Major Carter was shot down by German ace Lieutenant (Leutnant) Paul Billik
Paul Billik
Paul Billik Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross was a World War I fighter ace credited with 31 victories. He was killed in a flying accident while pioneering civil aviation.-His Life Before Aviation:...
. Carter fell behind German lines, survived the crash, and was captured. He finished his war in a prisoner of war camp. He received the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, while in prison, on 18 July. It was followed by the unprecedented bestowal of a Bar, equivalent to a second award, on 16 September 1918. He was repatriated on 13 December 1918.
Post World War I
Carter then joined the Canadian Air ForceCanadian Air Force (1918-1920)
The Canadian Air Force was a contingent of two Canadian air force squadrons - one fighter and one bomber - authorized by the British Air Ministry in August 1918 during the close of the First World War...
and was posted to No. 123 Squadron . On 22 May 1919, Carter was killed in a flying accident while test flying a Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
; the plane broke up under him. He was buried at Old Shoreham Cemetery, Shoreham, Sussex
Shoreham-by-Sea
Shoreham-by-Sea is a small town, port and seaside resort in West Sussex, England. Shoreham-by-Sea railway station is located less than a mile from the town centre and London Gatwick Airport is away...
, England.
Distinguished Service Order
"Maj. Albert Desbrisay Carter, Infy., and R.F.C.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He destroyed two enemy aeroplanes, drove down several others out of control, and on two occasions attacked enemy troops from a low altitude. He showed great keenness and dash as a patrol leader."
Bar to Distinguished Service Order
"Maj. Albert Desbrisay Carter, D.S.O., New Brunswick R., and R.A.F.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a fighting pilot. In three and a half months he destroyed thirteen enemy machines. He showed the utmost determination, keenness and dash, and his various successful encounters, often against odds, make up a splendid record.
Carter also received the Belgian Croix de Guerre.