Who's Who - Albert Desbrisay Carter
Albert Desbrisay Carter
(1892-1919) was a leading Canadian
air ace of
the First World War with 29 'kills' to his credit between 1917-18.
Serving with the 13th Reserve Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CRF), Carter sought and received a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in May 1917 with a posting to No. 1 School of Military Aeronautics. From there on 7 July 1917 he was sent to No. 1 Training Squadron, and then to Nos. 20 and 56 Training Squadrons in July and August 1917.
Carter received a posting to 19 Squadron on 1 October 1917, remaining with the unit for the remainder of the war. On the last day of that month he opened his account with two victories in the skies over Becelaere-Gheluvelt. From 31 October 1917 until 16 May 1918 Carter amassed 29 air victories, including three in one day on 23 April 1918 north of La Bassee.
On 19 May 1918 - three days following his 29th victory - Carter was captured by the Germans when his Sopwith Dolphin was shot down by Paul Billik of Jasta 52. He remained as a prisoner-of-war until after the armistice later that year.
While a prisoner Carter was awarded firstly the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 18 July, and then given a Bar to his DSO on 16 September 1918. He was also awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre.
Eventually repatriated on 13 December 1918 Carter was killed the following year on 22 May 1919 in a flying accident testing a Fokker D.VII while serving with the Canadian 123 Squadron. He was 26.
The Austro-Hungarian declaration of war was the first ever delivered by telegram.
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