Alfred Carpenter

Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter
Alfred Carpenter by Arthur Stockdale Cope
Born	17 September 1881 Barnes, London
Died	27 December 1955 (aged 74)
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1898 - 1934
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands held	HMS Vindictive
Battles/wars	1898 Occupation of Crete Boxer Rebellion World War I World War II
Awards	Victoria Cross Légion d'honneur Croix de guerre (France)

Vice-Admiral Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter, VC (17 September 1881 – 27 December 1955) was a Royal Navy officer who was selected by his fellow officers and men to receive the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Carpenter was born in Barnes, south-west London, the son of Captain Alfred Carpenter and grandson of Commander Charles Carpenter. He attended Bedales School founded by his Uncle Edward Carpenter's close friend John Haden Badley. He was married to Maud Tordiffe and after her death in 1923 to Hilda Margaret Allison (née Chearnley-Smith).

Prior to World War I he saw naval service in Crete in 1898 and during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900-01. He was acting as a sub-lieutenant when in August 1902 he was temporarily posted to the torpedo boat destroyer HMS Havock for service during the Coronation Fleet review. He specialised in navigation from 1903 and received the thanks of the Admiralty for several inventions, and a Humane Society medal for saving life at sea. During World Was I he served on Admiral Jellicoe's staff 1914–15. He was promoted to Commander in 1915 and served as navigating officer of HMS Emperor of India 1915–17.