Robert James CARTER DFM

Serial Number: NZ41570
RNZAF Trade: Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner
Date of Enlistment: 19th of January 1941
Rank Achieved: Flight Sergeant
Flying Hours: unknown hours
Operational Sorties: unknown

Date of Birth: 23rd of May 1914, in Taumarunui
Personal Details: Robert was the son of Robert Pearce Carter and of Julia Ann Carter (nee Kerr), of Taumarunui. He attended Taumarunui District High School, where he passed his Senior Free Place exam.

Robert was captain of both the First XV Rugby team and First XI Cricket teams at his school, and he also enjoyed tennis, swimming and athletics.

When he left school, Robert took up employment in the drapery trade. He eventually moved to Cambridge and at the time he applied for enlistment into the RNZAF, on the 21st of September 1939, he was employed in that line of business with Sayers and Ward Ltd. of Cambridge.

Service Details: Robert enlisted at the Initial Training Wing at RNZAF Station Levin on the 19th of January 1941. After initial ground training, he embarked on the 27th of February 1941 aboard the "SS Awatea" bound for Canada.

Upon arrival in Canada, Robert was attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 16th of March 1941, and posted to No. 3 Wireless School, at Winnipeg, for training three days later.

He then proceeded on the 1st of September 1941 to No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School at Paulson, Manitoba. On the 29th of September, Robert completed his course and was awarded his Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner badge, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

On the 6th of October 1941, Robert arrived at No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, to await transportation to Britain. He eventually got a berth on the 12th of October and embarked on the voyage across the Atlantic.

Robert arrived safely in England and was posted straight to No. 3 Personnel Reception Area, on the 24th of October 1941. On the 3rd of December 1941 he began a course with No. 1 Signals School at Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

At this point Robert remustered to Air Gunner, dropping the wireless side of his trade, on the 2nd of March 1942. From the 20th of March and into April 1942 he underwent a course at No. 1 Air Armament School at Manby, also in Lincs.

On the 26th of May he was posted to No. 11 Operational Training Unit at Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire, where he was to prepare for operational service. He completed his training there on Vickers Wellington bombers.

Robert was posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron at Feltwell, in Norfolk on the 18th of August 1942. This was the famous New Zealand heavy bomber squadron, at this stage still flying the Vickers Wellingtons.

He was crewed with Sgt Roy William Raharuhi, and although official records state he began flying operations on the night of the 1/2 of September 1942, in fact a Sgt Carter also flew in the crew of Wellington BJ772 a few days earlier on the night of 28/29 August, so this may have been him too as his pilot Roy Raharuhi was flying as Second Dickie on that op.

Robert flew as an air gunner on Raharuhi's crew through to the 24th of October 1942, in Wellingtons. During this time Robert completed the following operations:

Robert left No. 75 (NZ) Squadron on the 10th of November and along with Sgt Raharuhi was then posted to No. 115 Squadron, serving on Vickers Wellington and Avro Lancaster bombers.

During his service with 115 Sqn, he was attached for a course at No. 1483 Gunnery Training Flight at Marham, Norfolk, on the 26th of January 1943, till about the 30th of that month, and returned to the squadron.

Eventually Robert was taken off ops and is believed to have become an instructor in air gunnery at No. 29 Operational Training Unit, beginning his posting there on the 20th of March 1943.

A promotion to Flight Sergeant came on the 1st April 1943, and then he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal on the 13th of May 1943. The citation read:

“Sgt Carter is an exceptionally efficient rear gunner and a very valuable member of his crew. On two occasions, he has taken part in the destruction of an enemy night fighter. His gunnery is extremely precise and accurate and his organisation of an air combat Is a fine example of coolness and efficiency under exacting circumstances. His Instructions as to timing and evasive action are invariably concise, clear and effective.”

Sometime later Robert arrived at No. 5 Personnel Despatch Centre at Padgate, Lancashire, to await repatriation to New Zealand. The date he boarded a troopship for home isn't known, but he ceased to be attached to the RAF on the 12th of July 1943.

The ship arrived in New Zealand on the 12th of August 1943, and it's probable that Robert enjoyed a period of leave at home in Cambridge and/or Taumarunui before taking up his next duty.

This duty a course at No. 1 Operational Training Unit in Lockheed Hudsons, at Ohakea. He completed this familiarisation course and reported to No. 2 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RNZAF, also then based at Ohakea, on the 25th of October 194. The squadron was flying the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, and preparing to move forward to the Pacific at the time.

Robert embarked for more overseas service with the squadron on the 18th of November, headed for Espiritu Santos, and then Guadalcanal. The squadron performed long range operational patrols, bombing strikes and anti-shipping and submarine missions.

Details of Death: On Monday the 17th of January 1944, Robert was part of a crew on a ferry flight of a 2 Sqn Ventura from Henderson Field at Guadalcanal to Pallikulo, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. When the aircraft, PV-1 Ventura NZ4520, was approaching the island of Espiritu Santo, it was seen by an American Hellcat pilot 5-10 miles NW of Cape Queiros streaming smoke from an engine. It was flying at 200ft in heavy rain at 14:45hrs. All 10 men on board died when the Ventura crashed into the sea shortly afterwards. It is thought the pilot overlooked changing the fuel tanks while concentrating on blind flying. Robert was aged 29
Commemorated at: All ten who died are commemorated on panel 6 of the Bourail Memorial.

Connection with Cambridge: Robert was formerly a resident of Cambridge, New Zealand prewar

Sources:
For Your Tomorrow by Errol Martyn
AIR 118/62 /b RNZAF biographies of deceased personnel 1939-45 Vol 4 Ea - Gw
Cambridge Museum records via Eris Parker
Photograph kindly supplied by Arthur Arculus
The Waikato Independent newspaper
Information supplied by David Duxbury and Errol Martyn
And details of Robert's No. 75 (NZ) Squadron service come from the squadron's official history compiled by Squadron Leader Ron Macfarlane, RNZAF Retired.

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