He attended Bedales School founded by his Uncle Edward Carpenter's close friend John Haden Badley.

[3] From late October that year he was posted to the corvette HMS Cleopatra, used as a training cruiser in home waters,[4] and confirmed in the rank of sub-lieutenant.

He set a magnificent example to all those under his command by his calm composure when navigating mined waters, bringing his ship alongside the mole in darkness.

When "Vindictive" was within a few yards of the mole the enemy started and maintained a heavy fire from batteries, machine guns and rifles on to the bridge.

Carpenter was selected by the officers of the "Vindictive," "Iris II.," and "Daffodil," and of the naval assaulting force to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, dated 29 January 1856.