Major Albert Desbrisay Carter DSO in the Great War

HE DID THAT WHICH WAS HIS DUTY TO DO

Major Albert Desbrisay Carter DSO & Bar, Croix du Guerre, the only son of Leonard & Ettie (Goodwin) Carter. Albert the highest scoring ace to serve with No.19 Squadron. On 19 May 1918, captured behind enemy lines after his Sopwith Dolphin earlier shot down by Leutnant Paul Billik of Jasta 52 (Billik shot down his share of Commonwealth Aces). Repatriated on 13 December 1918, Carter later killed in a flying accident near Lancing College, West Sussex, on 22 May 1919.

Leutnant Paul Billik

Paul Billik noteable for having shot down aces like Carter, John J Malone, William J Cairnes, and Arthur Claydon (all but Carter killed-in-action). Billik, like Carter, became a POW 10 August 1918, later repatriated, and also killed in a flying accident while pioneering civil aviation. He died in a landing accident in Staaken, Berlin, while piloting one of the world’s first passenger liners, the Junkers F.13.

Enlistment of Albert Desbrisay Carter

Albert Desbrisay Carter born in Point de Bute, Westmorland County, New Brunswick on 3 July 1892. His lengthy service record describes, in detail, the circumstances of the accident causing his death. He enlisted on 2 November 1914 in Saint John, New Brunswick in the 26th Battalion, with 3 years earlier service in the 74th Regiment. At this time, he stood 5′ 9″ tall, 170 pounds, with medium complexion, light brown eyes and brown hair.

26th Battalion

Carter began his war-time military career in the 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion, as the unit’s machine-gun officer, and later proceeded overseas on 15 September 1915.

26th Battalion organized in November 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James Lupton McAvity. Mobilized at Saint John, recruited in New Brunswick, embarked from Halifax 15 June 1915 aboard CALEDONIA, and later disembarked in England on 22 June 1915 with a strength of 42 officers, 1008 other ranks.

Lt Col Archibald Ernest Graham McKenzie

Major Archibald Ernest Graham McKenzie later became acting commander of the 26th Battalion in April 1916. Then, on 14 August 1916, McKenzie appears in a photograph by Captain Ivor Castle, perhaps the largest grouping of commanding officers in any MIKAN photograph of the Great War.

Although somewhat severe by nature, McKenzie’s facility for hard work, strong personality, and penchant for leadership, ideally suited him to command in the field.

Battle of the Scarpe

McKenzie promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 29 May 1916, when confirmed in his command, he led from the front, shared the rigours of trench life with his men, and always worked for their welfare and the success of the battalion. In return, he received their utmost respect and cooperation, leading to the battalion’s high morale. McKenzie killed-in-action during the Battle of the Scarpe, 28 August 1918.

France

Lt Carter posted to go abroad, 1 September 1915. Carter arrived with the 16th Battalion in France on 15 September 1915, with the 2nd Canadian Division, 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by the 13th Canadian Reserve Battalion. The 26th returned to England 11 April 1919, arrived in Canada 16 May 1919, and finally demobilized 17 May 1919. Colours deposited in Trinity Church, Saint John on 7 May 1922. Perpetuated by The Saint John Fusiliers.

Lieutenant Albert Carter Wounded

Lt Carter’s first tour of the Western Front with the 26th Battalion extremely brief. Shortly after arriving with his unit in Belgium, along with the other battalions of the 5th Brigade, an assault made on a crater near Scherpenbergweg, Heuvelland, Belgium (southwest of Ypres, north east of Locre) on 13 October 1915, 19 O/R (Other Ranks) killed, 3 officers and 30 O/R wounded.

Oddly, for this earlier period of the Great War, only one of those names found on the Menin Gate Memorial. In addition, one of the nineteen dead buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery, with the remainder at La Laiterie Military Cemetery.

Injuries

Lt Carter severe right hip and thigh GSW, 13 October 1915. To England, per HS BRIGHTON 17 October 1915. Later evacuated to No.4 London District Hospital, 18 October 1915, exit wounds septic.

Unfit for light duty at home six weeks. At least two months rest required. Carter later granted leave to return to Canada, from Shorncliffe, 16 November 1915.

By 18 February 1916, Carter now with the 140th Battalion in Canada.

140th Battalion

Organized in November 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Herbert Beer. Mobilized at Saint John, recruited in King’s, Queen’s and Albert counties, embarked from Halifax 27 September 1916 aboard CORSICAN, and later disembarked in England 6 October 1916. with a strength of 33 officers, 820 other ranks. Later absorbed by Royal Canadian Regiment and Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Depot. Perpetuated by The York Regiment which, in 1936, amalgamated with The Carleton Light Infantry to form The Carleton and York Regiment.

Now a Major, medical exam declares Carter fit on 19 June 1916 at St John, New Brunswick Camp Hospital. At Valcartier Camp on 11 July 1916, admitted to hospital with German Measles, and later discharged 23 July 1916.

Return To England

Major Carter embarked Halifax, 25 September 1916, disembarking Liverpool on SS CORSICAN, 6 October 1916.

Carter Taken-on-strength Royal Canadian Regiment from the 140th Battalion, on 8 November 1916, and later returns to the 13th Reserve Battalion on 2 April 1917. To RHC, Reading 29 May 1917.

On 7 July 1917, Carter remanded to No.1 Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Later that month he moved on to No.20 Training Squadron. Finally, Albert finished his training with No.56 Training Squadron, RFC in August 1917.

Major Albert Desbrisay Carter to be Flying Officer, 3 September 1917. Before being posted to No.19 Squadron, Carter flew coastal patrol duties.

Royal Flying Corps

With the Royal Flying Corps, Carter downed between 27 and 31 enemy aircraft, making him one of the top 15 ranking Canadian aces. Carter awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the Distinguished Service Order with bar, the Belgian Croix de Guerre and Mentioned in Despatches no less than three times.

No. 19 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps

On 1 October 1917, Carter received an assignment to No.19 Squadron. The Squadron founded on 1 September 1915 training on a variety of aircraft before deployed to France in July 1916 flying B.E.12s and re-equipping with the more suitable French-built Spads. Later in 1918, the squadron re-equipped with Sopwith Dolphins, flying escort duties.

Aces of No. 19 Squadron

By the end of the war, 19 Squadron had had a score of flying aces among its ranks, in addition to Albert Desbrisay Carter, John Leacroft, Arthur Bradfield Fairclough, Oliver Bryson, Gordon Budd Irving, Frederick Sowrey, future Air Commodore Patrick Huskinson, Cecil Gardner, Roger Amedee Del’Haye, future Air Chief Marshal James Hardman, Finlay McQuistan, Alexander Pentland, John Candy, Cecil Thompson, John Aldridge, and Wilfred Ernest Young.

First Victory

On 31 October 1917, Carter opened his aerial career with an Albatross D.V destroyed over Becelaere-Ghehluvelt and another German plane driven down. Third and fourth victories later came on 8/9 November 1918, over South Ghekuvelt and Moorslede respectively. Another Albatros DV shot down on 13 November 1917, then on 15 November 1917 he became an ace on the fourth of the six victories he would score that month over North Comines.

Flight Leader

Also on 4 November 1917, he became a flight leader. Carter adds an Albatros C on 15 November over South Passchendaele, and finished November with another Albatross D.V on 23 November 1917.

Following a two-week respite, Carter adds his first kill of the month on 15 December 1917 over Comines. Then on 18 December 1917, he bags two aircraft, a Pfalz DIII and another Albatros D.V. The following day, he scores an Albatross D.V over Gheluwe-Moorslede, another over Hollebeke on 19 December 1917, and another over South Quesnoy on 22 December, and later another Albatross D.V over North West Houthoulst Wood on 28 December 1917. By the end of the year, on 29 December, he would score his fifteenth and final triumph flying a SPAD (another Albatross D.V).

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.   

(D.S.O. gazetted 18th February, 1918.) Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918 (30901/10861)

Carter’s 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 new Sopwith Dolphin. Then, on 15 March 1918, he destroyed one Pfalz D.III and sent another one down out of control (victories 16 and 17).

Carter would score eleven times flying Dolphin C4017, with his final three successes falling from Dolphin C4132. Two Pfalz DIII on 15 March 1918 over South Halluin, followed two days later by an Albatross D.V over Oostnieuwkerke. In addition, his 19th victory scored on 24 March 1918 over West Roulers (a two-seater Albatross C).

Croix du Guerre

Major Albert Desbrisay Carter DSO awarded the Croix du Guerre by H.M. the King of the Belgians, 14 April 1918, London Gazette No. 30631.

Carter still quite active in April 1918, an Albatross C added to his tally over Neuve Chapelle on 10 April, and a string of Pfalz DIII’s beginning on 21 April over Steenwerck, with Carter’s most prolific day occurring on 23 April 1918 when he scored thee Pfalz DIII’s north of La Bassee within minutes of 18h20.

During his final month of action, Major Albert Desbrisay Carter DSO accounted for a further five victories, including a Fokker DrI on 2 May 1918 over South Armentieres, and an Albatros D.V on 8 May over south-east Bailleul. Carter finally began to patrol over France in mid-May, scoring a Fokker DrI over Quesnoy, and a Fokker DVII over Wervicq, both on 15 May 1918. The following day, Carter’s final victory, his 29th, an Albatross C over Bucquoy on 16 May 1918.

Final Tally

Carter’s final tally 14 enemy driven down out of control, also 15 destroyed. Eight of his victories shared with other pilots, including Lt John G S Candy B6760, 2/Lt Eric Olivier A6784 (three aircraft shared), in addition, Lt A Reid-Walker B6817, Captain Olivier Campbell Bryson A6780, 2/Lt E J Blyth B3563, Lt Arthur Bradley Fairclough A6802, Captain G W Taylor A6805, 2/Lt H E Galer A8836, Lt G B Irving C3838 (two aircraft), and Lt James D Hardman. Finally, twenty of Carter’s 29 victims enemy fighters.

Lt Andrew Edward McKeever DSO, MC & Bar, DFC

The airman photographed here is the great Canadian two-seater ace Andrew Edward McKeever DSO MC* DFC. The Bristol F2 Fighter ‘ace of aces’ with the aid of his observers he claimed 31 victories whilst serving with No.11 Squadron RFC. His last 4 victories came on the 30th November 1917 whilst piloting Bristol F2b A7288. With his observer 2/Lt Leslie Archibald Powell they claimed 4 Albatros D.V shot down south of Cambrai.

During late January 1918 McKeever was taken out of service and sent home to help form the Canadian Air Force, he would see no further combat. Andrew McKeever would help organise No.1 Squadron CAF (originally No.81 Squadron RAF) and command it. The war came to an end before the squadron could be deployed to the Western Front. The low positions of the LMG 08’s in the cockpit gives away that this D.VII is powered by a Mercedes D.IIIa motor and not the brilliant BMW IIIa ‘altitude’ engine.

Nigel Cartwright

Andrew Edward McKeever number ten on the list of Canadian Aces from the Great War, one position ahead of Albert Desbrisay Carter.

Death of Andrew Edward McKeever

Soon after McKeevor’s return following the Great War, involved in an auto accident in his home town of Listowel, New York. He broke his leg, complications set in, and he later died of cerebral thrombosis on Christmas Day, 1919.

Major Albert Carter Missing

On 18 March 1918, Major Carter shot down by German ace Leutnant Paul Billik. Carter fell behind German lines, surviving the crash landing, but soon captured. Reported Missing, 19 May 1918. Mentioned in Despatches, 20 May 1918, London Gazette.

Major Carter held prisoner in a camp at Karlsruhe, until being moved to another camp shortly before the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918.

Major Albert Desbrisay Carter Now a POW

Carter’s whereabouts unknown until German authorities report him as a POW in Karlsruhe, Germany, 12 July 1918.

Followed by the unprecedented bestowal of a Bar, equivalent to a second award while in prison.

Bar to DSO

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.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 July 1918 (30801/8444).

Repatriation of Major Albert Desbrisay Carter

Carter repatriated to England, 13 December 1918. Thousands of POW’s repatriated in the two years prior to the Armistice, with the caveat they would not return to duty. Simply put, neither side in the Great War wished to feed thousands of POWs. Carter later admitted to CRC Officer’s Hospital, with Influenza, 4 January 1919, and discharged to duty 23 January 1919.

After the war, Major Carter commanded a Canadian squadron in England where they trained using captured German Fokker D-VII’s.

During an exercise, Carter’s plane collapsed in midair and he died on impact, 22 May 1919, at the age of 27.

Major Albert Desbrisay Carter’s Accident

Flying accident inquiry immediately held Thursday, 22 May 1919 at 14h00, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex. List of witnesses, Lt W E Windover, Chief Mechanic Ernest Williams 2155, Sergeant Mechanic James John Poole 528661, Captain Carl Frederick Falkenburg DFC & Bar, Captain John Owen Leach MC AFC, Captain Alfred Coyne Phillips (A Section, No.1 Overseas Field Ambulance Depot, Canadian Army Medical Corps).

ROYAL AIR FORCE
PROCEEDINGS OF COURT OF INQUIRY
FLYING ACCIDENTS

Plane:
Type – Fok D.VII 8482/18
Extent damaged – totally
Engine:
Type – Mercedes 180 hp
Maker’s No. – 37125
Extent damaged – totally
Occupants:
Name – Albert Desbrisay Carter
Rank – Major
Unit – N.B Regt. C.G.F. attached 123 Sqdn. RAF
Whether Pilot – Pilot
No. of plane – Fok D.VII 8482/18
Extent injured – Fatally

Shoreham-by-Sea

The Court was assembled on Thursday 22nd May 1919 at 14.00 at Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex by order of Lt.-Col. Robert Leckie DSO, DFC, AFC O/C No. 1 Canadian Wing with instructions to inquire into the circumstances connected with the accident on May 22nd 1919 at Lancing, Sussex near Shoreham-by-Sea.

COMPOSITION OF THE COURT

President – Captain George Owen Johnson MC 81 Sqdn.
Members – Lieutenant J. V. Heakes, Lieutenant J. Whitford 81 Sqdn.
In attendance – Lieutenant W. L. Rutledge MM 81 Sqdn.

LIST OF WITNESSES

Lieut. W.E. Windover 123 Sqdn.
Chief Mechanic Ernest Williams #2155 123 Sqdn.
Sergeant Mechanic James John Poole #528661 123 Sqdn.
Captain Carl Frederick Falkenburg DFC 81 Sqdn.
Capt. John Owen Leach MC AFC 123 Sqdn.
Captain Alfred Coyne Phillips CAMC

1st Witness

Lieut. W.E. Windover states: I am a Flying Officer in ‘C’ Flight, No. 123 Squadron (Canadians) RAF. On the 21/5/19 I flew Fokker DVIII No.8482/18 from 1045 to 1115. I found the machine in good flying condition.

2nd Witness

Chief Mechanic Ernest Williams states: Sir. I am a Chief Mechanic (Rigger) in charge of ‘C’ Flight, No.123 Squadron (Canadian) RAF. On the 21/5/19 at 1545 I examined the rigging and controls of Fokker DVII No.8482/18 and found it to be in good flying condition. The machine did not leave the ground after examination until it was taken up by Major A D Carter at 0940 on the 22/5/19.

3rd Witness

Sergeant Mechanic James John Poole states: I am a Fitter Sergeant in ‘C’ Flight, No. 123 Squadron (Canadians) RAF. I was in charge of Mercedes Engine No.37125 ub Fokker DVII 842/18, I last examined the engine at 0920 on the 22/5/19 and it was then in good running condition. I was also by the machine when the engine was tested by the deceased at 0940 when by the sound it was running well.

4th Witness

Captain Carl Frederick Falkenburg states: I am a Flight Commander in ‘A’ Flight, No. 81 Squadron (Canadians) RAF. On 22/5/19 between 0950 and 1100 I was flying SE5A No.9100. While in the air I had a practice combat with a Fokker Biplane which I knew was piloted by Major A D Carter. After fighting for about thirty minutes I decided to break off the flight and so started to glide towards the aerodome, followed by the deceased who kept diving on me from above. When at about 7000 feet, I heard a noise behind me and on looking around, I saw the wings of the Fokker break away from the machine. At the time, (about 1050) the Fokker was just pulling out of a dive. I watched the machine go down in a vertical nose dive until it hit the ground.

5th Witness

Captain John Owen Leach MC AFC states: I am a Flight Commander in charge of ‘A’ Flight, No. 81 Squadron (Canadians) RAF. At 1050 on the 22/5/19 I was watching an SE5A and a Fokker Biplane in an aerial combat at approximately 7000 feet just west of Shoreham aerodome when I noticed the port top of the Fokker break away from the machine. The machine glided steeply for some distance and then nosed dived vertically into a field just SW of Lansing College.

6th Witness

Captain Alfred Coyne Phillips states: At 1050 on 22/5/19 I proceeded by ambulance to the scene of the accident arriving there at 11h00. I found the pilot Major AD Carter dead and superintended removal of the body from the wreckage. It was conveyed by ambulance to the Town Morgue at Shoreham-by-sea. On examining the body I found the following injuries: skull shattered with loss of brain substance. Penetrating wound of left chest above heart. Practically all bones of the body broken. Extensive laceration of both thighs and left hand.

FINDINGS OF COURT

The undersigned have conducted a Court of Inquiry on the instructions set forth on the first page of this Form, and at the place and on the date thereon stated.

(A)

We find from the evidence that the following facts have been established:-

1.   The description of the Occupants, Planes and Engines and the extent of the injury to them is as set forth on the front page of this Form, with the exception that – nil

2.   The purpose of and instructions for the Flight were as follows:-
Aeroplane type – Fokker D.VII
Aeroplane No. – 8482/18
Purpose & Instructions – practice flight

3.   The accident occurred at 10.50 o’clock at the place and on the date set forth on the front pge of this Form.

4.   The aeroplane were controlled as follows:-
Aeroplane type – Fokker D.VII
Aeroplane Number – 8482/18
No. of seats – 1
Whether fitted with single or dual control – single
Names of occupants of seats – Major Albert Desbrisay Carter

5.   The aeroplane took off the ground as follows:-
Aeroplane type – Fokker D.VII
Aeroplane Number – 8482/18
Time – 09.40

Weather conditions

Excellent for flying.

6.   Condition of aeroplane at commencement of flight:-
Aeroplane type – Fokker D.VII
Aeroplane Number – 8482/18
When last examined – by fitter – (date) 22.5.19 – (hour) 09.20
When last examined – by rigger – (date) 21.5.19 – (hour) 15.45
Whether plane & engine fit for flight in question –

7.   The flying experience of the occupant prior to this flight was:-
Name of occupant – Major G.D. Carter DSO
Types of aeroplane – Practically every type of British machine and many German Fokker D.VII
Time flown on each type –
–   (others)  8:25 hours (dual) 375:00 hours (solo)
–   Fokker D.VII 50:00 hours (solo)

8.    We have examined the following Aeroplane Engine & Pilot’s Flying Log Books and have ascertained:-
Description of book – Aeroplane Log Book Fok D.VII 8482/18 – (remarks) machine had flown 25 hours 15 minutes
Description of book – Engine Log Book Mercedes 13125 – (remarks) engine had run 25 hours 20 minutes
Description of book – Pilot’s Log Book

9.   We have visited the scene of the Accident before Aeroplane was removed  and have found the following material facts:-
Studs fastening planes to struts sheared in all cases.
Port rear top stud showed flaw in metal at its break.

(B)

We have been unable to obtain Evidence of the following material Witnesses:-

Name- the Pilot Major G.D. Carter
Rank – Major
Unit – N.B Regt CGF Attached 123 Regt. RAF
Reason – Deceased
How concerned – Pilot

(C)

The Cause of the Accident was in our opinion that the machine collapsed in coming out of a dive.

(D)

This accident has been reported to the Accidents Committee.

Signature (President of the Court)
Signature (Two Members of the Court)
Date of signing 23/5/19

REPORT OF OFFICER COMMANDING

I concur
Date of signing 29th May 19
Signature of OC (Robert Leckie Lt.-Col.)
Unit – No. 1 Canadian Wing RAF Shoreham-by-Sea

Old Shoreham Cemetery

“There were still many ex-German Fokkers and Rumplers at Shoreham, and as peacetime operations left little to do, the Canadians often used them for aerobatics. On 22nd May 1919, Major Carter, C.O. of No. 2 Squadron, took off to do some aerobatics in a Fokker D.VII, but at seven thousand feet over Lancing College the top wing folded up and the machine dived to the ground in the sixteen acre field just below the College, killing Major Carter instantly. The crash was witnessed by Christopher Clarkson, still a boy at Lancing, who described how the top wing floated down separately long after the main impact. It was the most spectacular crash he saw at Shoreham. Major Carter was buried at the Old Shoreham cemetery along with the other Shoreham fliers killed in 1917.”

Tim Webb’s ‘Shoreham Airport Sussex – the Story of Britain’s Oldest Licensed Airport’.

Inscription on Albert’s grave: HE DID THAT WHICH WAS HIS DUTY TO DO. Carter’s Distinguished Service Order & Bar and Croix de Guerre are on display at the Fort Beauséjour Museum in Aulac, New Brunswick, Canada.

Joseph Simpson Painting of Major Albert Desbrisay Carter

This painting by celebrated war-artist Joseph Simpson (appointed an official war artist, for which he was later awarded the CBE) featured on the back cover of “The Sopwith Dolphin in RFC, RNAS, RAF & Polish Service.” The illustration first published in July 1918, and shows Dolphins of No.19 Squadron in combat over Roulers, 17 March 1918. At top left Major Albert Desbrisay Carter in C4017 “I”, in the center Captain John Leacroft in C3829 “V” and at upper right Captain Patrick Huskinson in C3792 “N”, in addition, at extreme right possibly Lt. M R N Jennings in C3820 “F”. Carter, Leacroft and Huskinson all credited with victories on this day.

More

• Home of CEFRG
• Soldiers and Nursing Sisters
• Units (Brigades, Battalions, Companies)
• War Diary of the 18th Battalion (Blog)
• Battles of the Great War
• Blog
• Cases
• Cemeteries
• Memorials
• On This Day
• About CEFRG