Since running an article about Colonel Richard Carver OBE RE last week, (view here), we have discovered more about his time in Milford on Sea. Below are some memories of his house, Arnwood, his involvement with All Saints' Church, Milford Art Group and MoS Historical Records Society, and also his final resting place.
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Colonel Richard Carver OBE RE, locally known as Dick Carver, was born on 26th May 1914. He lived in Milford on Sea for 28 years of his later life and died in the village on the 24th July 2007 at the age of 93.
Richard was a stepson of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Fighting with Montgomery as a forward liaison officer in the 8th Army (Commonly known as The Desert Rats), Richard was captured in the Western Desert in 1942, and an extraordinary adventure ensued.
Richard Carver's House:
Carol Bartlett recalls; "I remember Dick Carver living next door to us in Lymington Road, Milford on Sea SO41 0QN. His house was named Arnwood, and was in between our property known as The Garden House, and The Vicarage. Arnwood was demolished about 4 years ago and replaced by Langtry House. Dick was a wonderful neighbour and a lovely man. My husband John and Dick were good friends and spent many happy evenings reminiscing and putting the world to rights!"
Christina Young remembers Richard's house: "Dick's house was called Arnwood. It was an attractive whitewashed house, with a slate roof, nearly opposite The Old House in Lymington Road. The house was demolished following his death and has now been Replaced." Today, Langtry House an imposing property built around 2010, sits in the ample grounds of Richard's former home.
Richard was a stepson of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Fighting with Montgomery as a forward liaison officer in the 8th Army (Commonly known as The Desert Rats), Richard was captured in the Western Desert in 1942, and an extraordinary adventure ensued.
Richard Carver's House:
Carol Bartlett recalls; "I remember Dick Carver living next door to us in Lymington Road, Milford on Sea SO41 0QN. His house was named Arnwood, and was in between our property known as The Garden House, and The Vicarage. Arnwood was demolished about 4 years ago and replaced by Langtry House. Dick was a wonderful neighbour and a lovely man. My husband John and Dick were good friends and spent many happy evenings reminiscing and putting the world to rights!"
Christina Young remembers Richard's house: "Dick's house was called Arnwood. It was an attractive whitewashed house, with a slate roof, nearly opposite The Old House in Lymington Road. The house was demolished following his death and has now been Replaced." Today, Langtry House an imposing property built around 2010, sits in the ample grounds of Richard's former home.
Richard Carver & All Saints' Church
Alastair Dunn, Vicar at All Saints’ Church from 1990 to 2004 remembers Richard well. Alastair said; “Dick, as he was known to me, was a a regular worshipper at All Saints’ Church, and he was also a Housegroup leader and Churchwarden. I recall he became a Churchwarden just before I arrived in 1990 and he remained so until 1997.”
Richard Carver & Milford on Sea Historical Records Society
Brian Giles, Chairman of Milford on Sea Historical Records Society recalls; “Dick was a grand character. In all the times I went to his house with AGM papers when he was a member of MOSHRS, he never mentioned his connection with ‘Monty’.” From this, it is fair to assume that Richard was a modest and old school gentleman.
Richard Carver & Milford Art Group
It is believed that Dick was a member of Milford on Sea Art Group, although current members of the group have been unable to confirm this. His love of art may well have come from his mother, Betty Carver. Betty had been a student at The Slade School of Art in London, having always been interested in art and sculpture, she excelled in oil and watercolour painting. (Betty's brother was Col. Sir Percy Cleghorn Stanley Hobart MC DSO OBE KBE which confirms the family had fine military connections.)
Richard Carvers Resting Place: Richard is buried in All Saints' Churchyard in Milford on Sea, alongside his wife, Audrey.
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The grave for Mr Carver is in area 3, behind the church. Walk towards the shed at the back, about 3 rows up from the “cross roads”, and about 6 graves in.
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| All Saints' Church Yard Map |
The Book:
Richard’s son, Tom Carver has written an excellent book about Dick's life and war exploits called 'Where the hell have you been?’ View or buy book here.
Richard’s son, Tom Carver has written an excellent book about Dick's life and war exploits called 'Where the hell have you been?’ View or buy book here.
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We would like to hear anything about Richard Carver's life and particularly his time in Milford on Sea, ...what can you tell us?
Reply to: david@milfordonsea.org or post a comment below.
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Other notable Graves at All Saints' Church: Identified by Jim Butterworth (MoS Historical Society)
- Sir Stephen Hope Carhill
- Charles Dickens Granddaughter
- Charles Augustus Lord, Officer of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Service
- Two brothers who drowned at Hurst Castle
- Revd Willis, Bishop Of Honolulu 1872-1902
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