The Carty brothers – Artisans of a tradition

Published on

February 21, 2025

Following in their father’s footsteps, the Carty brothers all enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Overcoming the obstacles of the time, the five young men all distinguished themselves in the RCAF, propelling a long family tradition that continues to this day!

Born in St. John, New Brunswick in the early 20th century, Adolphus, William, Clyde, Donald and Gerald Carty were five brothers who followed the military example of their father, Albert Carty. Indeed, Albert had been a member of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada’s largest Black military unit, during the First World War from 1914 to 1918.

During the Second World War, military enlistment regulations limited the ability of the black population to join the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). At the time, the RCAF dictated that recruits had to be of “British subjects and of pure European descent”. Slightly less than a complete ban, this rule drastically limited the enlistment of Asians, Indigenous and Black Canadians. However, this did not prevent many African-Canadians from overcoming adversity and serving their country.

The Carty siblings thus represent an exceptional case of the inclusion of black people in the RCAF during the Second World War. Not only did the brothers enter the air force, but they all occupied different ranks – despite the obstacles in their way! During the war, four of the five brothers served on various Canadian bases and a fifth one was deployed in Europe.

Adolphus and William, the oldest siblings, were the first to enlist, in December 1939. At this point in the war, discrimination policies were at their strongest, and it would normally have been impossible for the two young men to enter the air force. So it seems that, by chance, they came across a tolerant recruiter who ignored these policies for one reason or another!

Adolphus devient alors sergent de section et travailla comme mécanicien de cellules d’aéronefs. Quant à William, il monte lui aussi en grade pour devenir également sergent de section et inspecteur aéronautique. Adolphus became a flight sergeant and served as an airframe mechanic. As for William, he also rose through the ranks to become a flight sergeant and an aeronautical inspector.

Their younger brother, Clyde, also joins the RCAF and serves as a firefighter. In May 1942, Donald followed in his brothers’ footsteps. He became an aircraftman second class and was an equipment assistant. Adolphus, William, Clyde and Donald all left the RCAF at the end of the war, in 1945. After the war, Adolphus returned to university to study theology and became a priest. Donald became a journalist, working for Canada Post for many years.

The Carty brothers’ father, Albert (center), with two of his brothers-in-law. All of these men are veterans of the First World War (source: Toronto Star).

At 19, Gerald became one of the RCAF’s youngest commissioned officers. The last of his group, he joined the air force in September 1942 as a pilot. Recognized for his great talents, Gerry (as he was nicknamed) was repeatedly sent on dangerous missions. He flew 35 successful sorties in Europe, but was seriously wounded when his bomber was shot down in France. Fortunately, the young pilot was rescued by members of the French resistance and was treated in England. For his service, Captain Gerald Carty was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal (Victory Medal) and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.

Gerald Carty during the war (source: The New Brunswick Anglican).

All five brothers survived the war. But the end of the war did not mean the end of the siblings’ enlistment! Indeed, the two youngest brothers, Malcolm and Robert, stayed home during the war but followed in their family’s footsteps by respectively joining the air and army cadets.

After the war, all five brothers returned to New Brunswick and became involved in their community. Gerald was an air cadet instructor in the Fredericton area as well as a member of many associations and clubs.

The family continued its military tradition through the years, as many of its members have served their country. Today, seven members of the Carty family are in various branches of the Canadian Armed Forces.

From left to right: Adolphus, William, Clyde, Donald and Gerald (source: Gouvernement du Canada/Government of Canada).

Cover photo: Gerald Carty poses in front of a plane (source: Toronto Star).

Article written by Alexandrine Bleau-Quintal, February 17, 2022, for Je Me Souviens. Text modified and enhanced by Julien Lehoux, February 21, 2025, for Je me souviens. Translated by Amy Butcher (www.traductionsamyb.ca).