An intimate gathering of Eric Carpenter’s family and friends came to celebrate the life of a “wonderful”, “compassionate” and “caring” man who lived life to the full. 

Mr Carpenter – a former Navy telegraphist – died peacefully at Mary Potter Nursing Home on Wednesday, January 10. He was 92 years old. 

His brother, 100-year-old Alf Carpenter, paid tribute his youngest sibling at the RSL funeral service on January 17. 

Despite a significant age gap, Alf said they had shared a strong brotherly love. 

They came a long way from their childhood days of swimming in the flooded river and canoeing down flooded streets. 

As Alf laid a poppy on his brother’s casket – “an emblem of sacrifice” and “the symbol of life offered in the service of one’s country” – he spoke the solemn words shared with ex-servicemen and women at their passing. 

As a sub-branch representative, he said: 

“O valiant hearts who to your glory came,

“Through dust of conflict and through battle flame,

“Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,

“Your memory hallowed in the Land you loved.”  

Born at Wagga’s hospital in April, 1925, Eric Carpenter signed up to the Navy shortly after his 18th birthday in 1943.

The youngest of six children, he joined the war to follow in the footsteps of his two older brothers.

Mr Carpenter was based out of Darwin for most of his service, but his proficiency in the Japanese language made him a valuable asset to allied forces, as they navigated the harsh jungle environment of New Guinea. 

Alf said his brother would intercept Japanese signals and pass them on to the American General Douglas MacArthur. 

Troops battling to stall the advancement of Japanese forces were given orders based on these signals. 

When the war was over, Mr Carpenter turned to carpentry and became an apprentice under his father. 

After a successful blind date, Mr Carpenter married his wife Joyce, who died in 2004 following 54 years of marriage. 

As a young man, he helped build some of Wagga’s landmarks, like the Club Motel, the old Army building on Lake Albert Road and the old council chambers, according to his granddaughter Brooke Keane. He worked at Wagga Base Hospital until his retirement. 

“Pop liked to keep busy,” Ms Keane said. “Before the shaking in his hands got bad, he was often building things.”

In a eulogy, Ms Keane said she had fond memories of her grandfather building a sailing ship; memories that would live on through the cot he made for her aunt’s dolls and the cradle he made for her mother’s. 

Mr Carpenter is survived by two brothers, a daughter, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

An Australian flag was presented to Mr Carpenter’s family at his funeral.