Rex, Richard Carver & Monty

The stories on Richard (Dick) Carver continue to reveal themselves. (Richard was a stepson of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.) Only last week we heard from Christopher Beeton telling us that he had served with Dick's stepson, Brigadier Rex Stephenson CBE (Retired) at HQ BAOR (British Army of the Rhine). After a little research we were able to contact Rex at his home near Salisbury.

Rex recalled the following memory of Monty, (Bernard Montgomery 1st Viscount of Alamein), who led the 'Desert Rats' and all allied ground forces during Operation Overlord in WW2.)

Rex said; "Dick and Audrey Carver, together with my brother Chris, sister Kate and myself were going to Sunday lunch with the Field Marshall at Islington Mill (Alton, Hampshire.) It was just after Monty had his gold Field Marshall baton stolen by burglars.He tightened up security at the Mill by not allowing anyone in unless they knew the daily changing password. En route for this Sunday lunch my mother asked Dick whether it was Apple Blossom or Apple Tree. There was a long somewhat heated discussion over the password.We arrived at the gate to the Mill and Monty’s lovely Swiss housekeeper asked for the password. Of course Mum and Dad got it wrong and we were not allowed in and we had to drive back home even though we could hear Monty the other side of the gate and he knew full well who we were."

 

Other Connected Stories

Col Richard Carver OBE Update: click here to read story

Monty, Richard & Milford!: click here to read story