Douglas Carbery facts for kids

Brigadier Douglas Hugh Moffatt Carbery (26 March 1894 – 27 April 1959) was a brave British officer. He started his career in the Artillery. During World War I, he became a skilled pilot, known as a flying ace. This means he shot down at least five enemy aircraft. Later, he returned to the Artillery. He even commanded an anti-aircraft brigade during World War II.

Douglas Carbery's Life Story

Douglas Carbery was born in Ambala, India. His father was Hugh John Carbery from Cork, Ireland. Douglas went to King's School in Bruton, England. After that, he studied at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He joined the Royal Field Artillery as a second lieutenant in August 1914.

World War I: A Flying Ace

Carbery served in France and Belgium early in World War I. He was wounded twice during this time. In 1916, he joined the Royal Flying Corps to train as a pilot. He quickly earned his pilot's license.

He first flew with No. 9 Squadron. This unit helped spot enemy positions for artillery. Later, he joined No. 52 Squadron. On January 25, 1917, he achieved his first aerial victory. He forced a German aircraft down, and it was captured.

For his bravery, he received the Military Cross on March 26, 1917. He was attacked by four enemy planes but drove them off. He continued his important observations. Later, he was attacked again and shot down one of the enemy planes.

In August 1917, he became a flight commander. This meant he led a group of planes.

In August 1918, Carbery was with No. 59 Squadron. He shot down a German Fokker D.VII plane. On September 8, he destroyed another German plane. A few days later, he destroyed another.

One exciting event happened on September 28, 1918. Carbery and his observer, Lieutenant J. B. V. Clements, were on patrol. They shot down a German plane. Then, they saw a German gun crew with a large gun. They dropped a message to British forces for an artillery strike. When nothing happened, Carbery bravely attacked the gun himself. He dropped four bombs and then shot at the German soldiers. The Germans ran away, leaving their damaged gun. The British later captured this gun. Carbery kept one of its broken wheels as a souvenir. This wheel later became a symbol for 59 Squadron.

In December 1918, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. This award was for his courage and skill. He attacked enemy batteries and troops, causing damage. He was also a bold and fearless fighter in the air.

At the end of the war, he received three more medals. These were the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

Between the Wars

After World War I, Carbery briefly joined the Royal Air Force. However, he soon decided to return to the Royal Artillery.

He served in India during the Third Anglo-Afghan War. He also served in the Waziristan Campaign. For these services, he received a special bar for his Distinguished Flying Cross. He also earned the India General Service Medal.

He continued to serve on the Indian North-West Frontier. He received another clasp for his medal. This was for his service during the Red Shirt and Afridi Rebellions. In 1933, he was promoted to major.

World War II Service

During World War II, Carbery served in the Royal Artillery. He worked in Coast Defence and Anti-Aircraft units. These units protected areas from enemy attacks from the air or sea.

He became a temporary lieutenant-colonel in 1940. Later, he was promoted to acting-colonel and acting-brigadier. He commanded the 14th (West Africa) Anti-Aircraft Brigade. He saw action in India and Burma.

In 1943, he became a temporary brigadier. He was promoted to colonel in 1944. Douglas Carbery retired from the military in 1946. He was given the honorary rank of brigadier.

Brigadier Carbery passed away in Lanner, Cornwall, in April 1959.

Family Life

In 1932, Douglas Carbery married Violet Cecily Austin. They had one daughter named Anne Irene Carbery. She was born in 1935. Anne later married Lieutenant-Commander Alexander Leonard Dominic Brown in 1956.