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Auction: 1008 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 75

A Fine Naval ´Combined Operations´ I.G.S. and Royal Humane Society Pair to Captain A. Carpenter, [D.S.O., A.M.], Royal Navy India General Service 1854-95, one clasp, Burma 1885-7 (Commander A. Carpenter, H.M.S. Bacchante.); Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal, successful (Lieut. Alfred Carpenter. R.N. 31st. January 1876.), lacking top riband buckle, extremely fine (2) Estimate £ 1,500-1,800 D.S.O. London Gazette 14.1.1887 Commander Alfred Carpenter, Royal Navy ´For operations in Burmah´ A.M. London Gazette 23.6.1876 Lieutenant Alfred Carpenter, R.N., of Her Majesty´s Ship "Challenger" ´At 10.30 P.M. on the 31st January, 1876, while the " Challenger" was at anchor in Stanley Harbour, Falkland Islands, in five fathoms of water, distant a quarter of a mile from the shore, Thomas Bush, an Able Seaman, fell overboard from the steam pinnace, which was coming alongside, and sank without uttering a cry. The night was dark, the weather very boisterous and raining, there was a short chopping sea (which rendered swimming extremely difficult), and an outsetting current. Lieutenant Carpenter, without a moment´s hesitation, jumped from the gangway, and swam towards the spot where the man disappeared, which was some twenty feet from the ship, and touched him with his feet under water. He then dived, seized hold of Bush, and brought him to the surface, and supported him from three to five minutes; but Bush being a very heavy man, and encumbered with thick waterproof clothing, and, moreover, being quite insensible, Lieutenant Carpenter, as he got exhausted with his exertions, was obliged to let him slip down. He supported him with his legs for a few moments, and then they were both hauled into the pinnace, and taken on board the "Challenger." When picked up they were between forty and fifty yards from the ship´s stern, which distance they were drifted by the current and wind. Every effort was at once made by the medical officers to restore Bush, but without success. There were several patches of floating kelp round the ship, amongst which the strongest swimmer would be helpless, which materially increased the risk incurred. From the unusual and strange fact that the man was not seen from the time of his falling overboard until brought to the surface by Lieutenant Carpenter, no boat, but for his prompt action, could have attempted to save the man with any chance of success.´ Captain Alfred Carpenter, D.S.O., A.M., born Brighton, Sussex, August 1847, the son of Commander Charles Carpenter, R.N.; educated at Brighton College; entered the Royal Navy, 1861; Commissioned Lieutenant, 1870; served in the Challenge Expedition, 1872-76, and awarded the Albert Medal 2nd Class and the Royal Humane Society bronze Medal for saving the life of Able Seaman Thomas Bush in Stanley Harbour, Falkland Islands; Bush unfortunately died of his injuries soon after; promoted Commander, December 1883, and served in the Sudan Expedition 1884, in command of H.M.S. Myrmidon (Medal, Khedive´s Star, and thanks of the Admiralty); appointed to the Marine Survey of India, September 1884, he piloted the War Flotilla under fire to Mandalay and Bhamo, Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 22.6.1886), and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order; retired 1895, with the rank of Captain. Captain Carpenter died at home, 30.4.1925. His son, Vice-Admiral Alfred Francis Blakeney Carpenter, commanded H.M.S. Vindictive during the Great War, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for the Zeebrugge raid, 23.4.1918.

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£2,300