The Gunner, June 2000

[Belly]

I'm looking for a copy of the obituary of Lt Col Edward Lionel Knyvett Augustus Carr, which featured in the June 2000 edition of the Gunner, if anyone out there can kindly scan me a copy
thanks
Paul

[Belly]

Still tring to find a copy of this if anyone out there has one?
thanks
Paul

[Belly]

The Royal Artillery Association has now kindly sent me a copy of Knyvet Carr's obituary, reproduced below in the spirit of sharing:

Lt Colonel E L K A Carr MC

Knyvet Carr was commissioned into the Royal Artillery from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in 1939. He was a quiet likeable young man of rather slight build and youthful appearance, good at games, notably rugby and hockey; a sound, unexceptional gentleman cadet.
But first appearances were deceptive. After an uneventful period of regimental soldiering in the United Kingdom, whilst the war in Europe led up to the evacuation from Dunkirk, he felt the need to play a more active part. He volunteered for the newly formed Commandos and, having passed their rigorous initial course, joined No 4 Commando. In August 1942 they took part in the Dieppe raid with the task of eliminating a coastal battery; Knyvet's role, with small party, was to sever the battery's communications with their observation post in a lighthouse, which he achieved, and his courage and leadership in this played no small part in the overall success of the Commando's operation. Later in June 1944, No 4 Commando took part in the Normandy landing; at one stage their advance was delayed by an enemy pill-box which Knyvet, regardless of wire and land-mines, attacked and silenced single-handed; Lord Lovat subsequently wrote that, in less demanding circumstances, he could have won a Victoria Cross for this action. Again, in November 1944, on Walcheren Island, he showed conspicuous gallantry and for this he was awarded the Military Cross; the citation speaks for itself ;- "At Flushing on November 1st 1944 the vehicle in which Captain Carr and the Mortar Section were landing struck anti-landing mine and was sunk. Despite heavy fire from both flanks, Captain Carr extricated himself and his men and then returned with a small party to the wreck and salvaged the mortars. This he accomplished with complete disregard of enemy fire, and after setting the mortars, went forward to make contact with his Machine Gun Section. This was in a very exposed position in the heart of the town and closely engaged by a considerable force of the enemy. The machine gun section officer having become a casualty, Captain Carr himself took command and maintained the section position through the next 24 hours, during which contact with other troops was cut by an enemy counter attack and the machine gun position heavily pressed. By his outstanding courage and devotion in holding this vital point the forming up and further operations of the follow-up troops were made possible." No 4 Commando's second-in-command commented afterwards that this had been the bravest deed he had ever witnessed.
The quiet cadet had become an outstanding officer, but he remained modest, almost self-effacing, with a gentle sense of humour, and never talked about his remarkable war record.
After the war he served in airborne Gunner units in the Middle East, Cyprus and the UK, culminating in the command of 29 Corunna Battery when it joined 33rd Parachute Light Regiment in 1957. He had by then attended the Staff College at Camberley and had held various staff jobs between regimental tours. He completed his service with a successful tour as Defence Attaché in Bucharest at a very sensitive time, followed by a spell at the Ministry of Defence before retiring.
In retirement he busied himself with numerous activities; locally as a church warden and in other church and village matters; as a leading member of the International Tree Foundation, with the Royal Artillery Association and the Royal British Legion.
Over the last few years, after a major cancer operation, his health deteriorated and he suffered much pain and discomfort, which he bore with indomitable outward good cheer. During this time, as always, he was buoyed up by constant support and encouragement from his wife Phyllida, for whom, with their children and grandchildren, he lived his life.
He was a man of great inward strength - steadfast, courageous and honourable. He will be missed by all who knew him, and his influence will live on.

[Mike B]

Fantastic obituary ... patience paid off.
Mike