Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare D.S.M. group of five awarded to ‘Stringbag’ Radar Operator, Flying Officer L. P. Carter, R.A.F., 830 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm
Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (550974 Cpl., R.A.F.) small official correction to number; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, these last four privately named (P/Off., D.S.M.) good very fine (5)

D.S.M. London Gazette 20 January, 1942, ‘for courage, enterprise and resolution in air attacks upon the enemy from Malta.’
Leslie Percival Carter was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and served with 830 Squadron which was formed in Malta in July 1940. The Squadron was equipped with Swordfish and its primary objective was torpedo attacks on enemy shipping and minelaying. More and more, however, it became involved in the protection of convoys bound for Malta or North Africa. Some of the Swordfish were equipped with A.S.V. Radar and it was their duty to locate targets for the torpedo carrying ‘Stringbags’ to attack. Carter is mentioned in the history of 830 Squadron as the A.S.V. Radar Operator of one of these Swordfish. His D.S.M. was presented to him by the King at Buckingham Palace on 12 October, 1943. He was promoted Flying Officer on 27 November, 1943. There were only 23 awards of the D.S.M. to the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.