A fine Great War Mesopotamia armoured car operations D.S.O., Western Front M.C. group of ten awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel G. Carr, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, late Machine Gun Corps (Motor), who died on active service on the Italian front in 1944

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved, ‘Given to Captain Graham Carr by H.M. King George V, 29th July 1916’; 1914-15 Star (Capt., M.G.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, the first five mounted as worn, good very fine and better (10) £2000-2500

D.S.O. London Gazette 11 January 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a motor battery in the pursuit. His was the first party to enter an enemy town where, in spite of the resistance offered, he captured a number of prisoners. Later, he carried out a daring raid into the enemy’s country, and took several prisoners 73 miles from his starting point.’

M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1916.

Mention in despatches London Gazette 27 August 1918 and 5 June 1919 (both for Mesopotamia).

Graham Carr, who was born in May 1889, was educated at Whitgift School, and was employed in the family jute manufacturing business at Bermondsey prior to being commissioned on the outbreak of hostilities in 1914. He subsequently served in France & Flanders from July 1915 to April 1916, in which period he commanded 14th Motor Machine Gun Battery, M.G.C., and was severely wounded at Ypres. He was awarded the M.C., which decoration he received from the King on 29 July 1916.

Next appointed to the command of 13th Light Armoured Motor Battery, M.G.C., in Mesopotamia, he commanded that unit’s armoured cars from August 1917 to October 1918, winning the D.S.O. for his deeds at the capture of Hadithah on 27 March of the latter year, and for his unit’s subsequent ‘daring raid into the enemy’s country’ at El Gaim 48 hours later. Details of these operations are to be found in the 13th Light Armoured Motor Battery’s war diary:

‘27 March 1918 ... six cars at once moved along the roads towards Hadithah with orders from the G.O.C. XI Cavalry Brigade to pursue the enemy (if any) on the desert road to Anah, bearing N.W. from Wadi Zaghdan. The cars reached the road junction without opposition. Two cars then proceeded on a reconnaissance along the desert road and the remaining four proceeded along the road towards Habithah, capturing a number of transport wagons with escorts. On entering the town four cars came into action against the enemy who opened fire from hills on the west of the road. Sergeant A. Black was wounded in the thigh. Several enemy were killed and wounded and about 100 prisoners and about 30 wagons captured and handed over to the infantry following up in Ford cars ... ’

‘29 March 1918 ... six cars (with two cars from 14th Light Armoured Motor Battery) left Anah at 6 a.m. with orders to proceed to El Gaim (60 miles) to capture Germans said to have escaped and attempt to recover gold treasure supposed to have been carried away in wagons. Reached Nuhije at 9 a.m. and found peaceful Armenian caravan and proceeded towards El Gaim. Parties of 10 and 30 Turkish cavalry engaged and disarmed on the road and three cavalry destroyed at El Gaim. Cars went on for 10 miles and captured three Germans and returned to Anah bringing in three Germans and 21 Turkish prisoners. Reached camp at 1 a.m. (30.3.1918). Days mileage 145 - road fair. Large number of maps and documents also taken from the kit of a German officer captured the previous day ... ’

Having then added a brace of “mentions” to his Mesopotamian accolades, and witnessed further action in Russia in 1919, Carr returned home and went into business with his brother in Purley. On the renewal of hostilities, however, he was quickly recalled, being appointed a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in September 1939. He subsequently gained rapid advancement to Lieutenant-Colonel and ‘followed the fortunes of the Eighth Army most of the way from Alamein to Tunis and thence to Italy, where he met his death on 3 August 1944’ (his Times obituary refers). Carr, who left a widow resident at Walton-on-Thames, is interred in the Caserta War Cemetery.