Flt.Lt Ron Carpenter RAF Bomber Command
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Flt.Lt Ron Carpenter RAF Bomber Command
This is a tribute to my Father who will be 90 years old in July. He was a bomb aimer on 10 Squadron Halifaxes stationed at RAF Melbourne near York from mid 1942 - to mid 1943. He completed 30 trips before becoming a bomb aiming instructor. Then transfered to 223 Sqn B24 Liberators (Radio Counter Measures ) at RAF Oulton in Norfolk. He completed 13 trips on 223 Sqn. Early 1944 he was posted to Indo-China on Dakotas but as a bomb aimer he took over as a navigator. He was very fortunate to survive all those missions without even a scratch! If anyone is interested I have some photos of one of the aircraft he regularly flew in. I'ts a Halifax B Mk 2 Series 1 (Special) ZA-X BB324. I have a photo taken on 21/22 June 1943 over Krefeld by this aircraft. My Father was the bomb aimer. When he pressed the weapon switch the aircraft's camera automatically operated. After returning to base, his crew had a few days leave. Unfortunately the replacement crew went to Mulheim on 22/23 June but failed to return. He had a few close shaves but made it OK.Tradgically most of his friends didn't! Of course if it wasnt for the dedicated work of the groundcrew as well the aircraft wouldnt have got off the ground. My Father said the aircrew had to rely on them. As an ex Jaguar Avionics Technician I know how important the groundcrew are! If anyone wants to contact me and especially ex Bomber Command aircrew or groundcrew they are more than welcome.
David Carpenter
David Carpenter
Perhaps Something More???
If your father was actually:1291451 Sgt Ronald Bertram Carpenter before he was commissioned, you didn't tell us that he was awarded a DFM at the end of his tour with 10 Sqn - the citation for same is impressive and there is no question that the award was 'dished out with the rations'.
Congratulations to him on his 90th - as was said of Titus Oates: A very gallant gentleman.
O-D
Congratulations to him on his 90th - as was said of Titus Oates: A very gallant gentleman.
O-D
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Yes. That was my fathers service No before he got commissioned. I would like to obtain more information on 10 Sqn Halifaxes as I'm trying to compile an album for his 90th birthday. I would very much appreciate if you could obtain any more information.
Thank you very much
David Carpenter
Thank you very much
David Carpenter
More Info
There are several books about 10 Sqn and its Halifax operations - "Gordon's Tour On Shiny Ten" seems to ring a bell. What squadron was he on in the far east? You mentioned Indo-China which immediately suggests 357 Sqn but could be one of the general transport units (31, 117, 194 and later 52).
Send me a private message with your e-mail address and I will send you an electronic copy of the narrative for the award of his DFM and the countersigning officer's comments.
You don't say whether you knew he had been awarded the decoration. You might want to check that he has also got the full set of campaign medals to which he is entitled. By my reckoning it should be something like: 1939-45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal. These are in addition to his DFM and there might be variations depending on precise timings of service etc.
O-D
Send me a private message with your e-mail address and I will send you an electronic copy of the narrative for the award of his DFM and the countersigning officer's comments.
You don't say whether you knew he had been awarded the decoration. You might want to check that he has also got the full set of campaign medals to which he is entitled. By my reckoning it should be something like: 1939-45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal. These are in addition to his DFM and there might be variations depending on precise timings of service etc.
O-D
Suspicion breeds confidence
I was very interested to read your fathers service record. In WW2 the DFM was much harder to win than the DFC. I have two wartime DFMs in my family both with Bomber Command. It's great to know that some of these aviators are still with us and I wish your father a very happy birthday and many returns. Both of my uncles have passed on, but the wife of one still lives on at a healthy 103.
If you need any information on the Citations, Archimedes on this forum was very helpful to me.
Navaleye
If you need any information on the Citations, Archimedes on this forum was very helpful to me.
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YAM.
David,
The Yorkshire Air Museum at York (Elvington) has lots of Halifax information and I seem to remember seeing photos of Melbourne ops there. however as an old Halifax man I expect your father knows all about the museum and the reconstructed Halifax there. Site is well worth a visit.
The Yorkshire Air Museum at York (Elvington) has lots of Halifax information and I seem to remember seeing photos of Melbourne ops there. however as an old Halifax man I expect your father knows all about the museum and the reconstructed Halifax there. Site is well worth a visit.
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David,
Talk with your Dad every day if possible, my father was 82 when he took his last flight, Dad flew with 272 Sqdn, my brother and I both miss the slow and painfull recollections he used to tell us about, and of what for those young men during that time of the 20th Century was a period that non of us since have gone through, they were normal men thrown into six years of the place beyond hell, all of them in my opinion deserve the title of... Hero
Thank you for the small sample of the history of your Fathers service, I wish him well for the rest of his life,
Peter R-B
Vfr
Lancashire
Talk with your Dad every day if possible, my father was 82 when he took his last flight, Dad flew with 272 Sqdn, my brother and I both miss the slow and painfull recollections he used to tell us about, and of what for those young men during that time of the 20th Century was a period that non of us since have gone through, they were normal men thrown into six years of the place beyond hell, all of them in my opinion deserve the title of... Hero
Thank you for the small sample of the history of your Fathers service, I wish him well for the rest of his life,
Peter R-B
Vfr
Lancashire
Melbourne
Hi,
My grandfather was an engine fitter on 10 Squadron at Melbourne during the war. I have a few pictures he kept, more than willing to send copies electronically if you wish. A good book on the Halifax operations from Melbourne is "Melbourne Ten", out of print many years ago. I can't remember the author, my copy is with mum at the minute. No doubt someone will, or I will pass it on next week. Best regards to your Dad.
Cheers
Iain
My grandfather was an engine fitter on 10 Squadron at Melbourne during the war. I have a few pictures he kept, more than willing to send copies electronically if you wish. A good book on the Halifax operations from Melbourne is "Melbourne Ten", out of print many years ago. I can't remember the author, my copy is with mum at the minute. No doubt someone will, or I will pass it on next week. Best regards to your Dad.
Cheers
Iain
David, you have every reason to be proud of your father and I hope you will be able to provide some suitable tribute in time for July.
In the meantime, I do urge you to try and obtain some permanent record of his activities. It will be painful, but what is more painful is the fact that his memories of others, who paid the ultimate price, will die with him.
In a way, he owes a small debt to them, to ensure that their sacrifice does not go without due recognition.
See if he will do it for them, not himself or you. It may help ease his mind, too, and no doubt there will be many happy memories in there too...
Look for the silver lining!
You could start by introducing him to the classic thread here "Gaining a Pilots brevet in WW2" and see how closely (or not) it relates to his experiences, as well as a memory nudger!
In the meantime, I do urge you to try and obtain some permanent record of his activities. It will be painful, but what is more painful is the fact that his memories of others, who paid the ultimate price, will die with him.
In a way, he owes a small debt to them, to ensure that their sacrifice does not go without due recognition.
See if he will do it for them, not himself or you. It may help ease his mind, too, and no doubt there will be many happy memories in there too...
Look for the silver lining!
You could start by introducing him to the classic thread here "Gaining a Pilots brevet in WW2" and see how closely (or not) it relates to his experiences, as well as a memory nudger!
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I believe we are related???
Hello David,
My name is Lynne Gibbons nee McAndrew. My father's name was Jack McAndrew and his mother's maiden name was Henrietta Williams.
My father left Canada and went to live in England with his Aunt Kate Carpenter and became good friends with Ron (her son). I was wondering if this is the same Ron Carpenter who was my Dad's cousin? If so, I would love to hear how your Dad is making out and wish him a very Happy Birthday.
I have quite a few photo's of my Dad with Ron.
My name is Lynne Gibbons nee McAndrew. My father's name was Jack McAndrew and his mother's maiden name was Henrietta Williams.
My father left Canada and went to live in England with his Aunt Kate Carpenter and became good friends with Ron (her son). I was wondering if this is the same Ron Carpenter who was my Dad's cousin? If so, I would love to hear how your Dad is making out and wish him a very Happy Birthday.
I have quite a few photo's of my Dad with Ron.
How are you getting on with his birthday commemoration?
As already stated, your father was awarded a DFM. Hopefully you will by now have had a copy of the citation and the London Gazette entry.
If you haven't seen it yet, there is a brief notation of his award in Flight in 14th October 1943, see here:- 1943 | 2497 | Flight Archive.
As already stated, your father was awarded a DFM. Hopefully you will by now have had a copy of the citation and the London Gazette entry.
If you haven't seen it yet, there is a brief notation of his award in Flight in 14th October 1943, see here:- 1943 | 2497 | Flight Archive.
The Power of PPRuNe
Lynne Gibbons:
davidcarp:
Don't know about anyone else but that's brought a smile to my face. WW2 was traumatic not only for those who fought in it but also for those that waited in anguish for their safe return and for generations later when they didn't. That there should be a happy outcome to this thread is a welcome and all too rare counter to that norm, and a notable example of the power of good to be found in the likes of this forum.
David, as Icare9 urges, get your Dad talking. His generation didn't do that on the whole, but seem to have discovered their own "Road to Damascus" moment as they have achieved a certain age. They know better than we do the uniqueness and significance of their experiences, both shared and personal, and realise the urgency of passing them on to receptive ears. All we have to do is show that we want to hear from them. Let him know that and you may find he is relieved that he can at last share some of those often painful memories with you. In that way his 90th birthday might be the happiest of his distinguished life, let us hope so.
I believe we are related???
Yes Lynne, we are related. I've just rung my Mum and Dad and it all fits.
David, as Icare9 urges, get your Dad talking. His generation didn't do that on the whole, but seem to have discovered their own "Road to Damascus" moment as they have achieved a certain age. They know better than we do the uniqueness and significance of their experiences, both shared and personal, and realise the urgency of passing them on to receptive ears. All we have to do is show that we want to hear from them. Let him know that and you may find he is relieved that he can at last share some of those often painful memories with you. In that way his 90th birthday might be the happiest of his distinguished life, let us hope so.
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Thanks. Yes, I've received a photo copy of the original citation and scanned the entry in The London Gazette. Apart from the DFM he received during the war he didn't bother to claim his other medals he was entitled to including The Aircrew Europe Star. I contacted MOD records, filled out the appropiate paperwork, signed by my Dad, and will hopefully receive them before his birthday
Knowing the mysterious ways of the RAF, I suspect that the medals will hopefully turn up with "someone" to ensure they "fit" properly. It doesn't forget those members of it's family who put life and limb on the line and I do hope they take due note of 1291451 RB Carpenters' birth date!
Have you also been able to contact the Sqdn's Association?
No. 10 Squadron Association, c/o D. Dent, 145 Stanks Drive, West Yorkshire LS14 5NU who might like to help......
Have you also been able to contact the Sqdn's Association?
No. 10 Squadron Association, c/o D. Dent, 145 Stanks Drive, West Yorkshire LS14 5NU who might like to help......
You can also access the Squadron F540 Operational Record Books at Kew. They are very helpful and you can order a reader's ticket online and reserve documents ready for your visit online also.
Start here Visit us | The National Archives
If you / he want to check up on where his less fortunate crewies now lie,
:: CWGC ::
I did some research for a friend of my grandfather recently. Incidently, my grandad may have patched up your dad's planes - he was a RAF panel beater near York.
Start here Visit us | The National Archives
If you / he want to check up on where his less fortunate crewies now lie,
:: CWGC ::
I did some research for a friend of my grandfather recently. Incidently, my grandad may have patched up your dad's planes - he was a RAF panel beater near York.