Stuart Bonham Carter
Vice Admiral Sir Stuart Sumner Bonham Carter, KCB, CVO, DSO (9 July 1889 – 5 September 1972) was an officer in the Royal Navy who served in both world wars.
Sir Stuart Bonham Carter | |
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![]() Vice Admiral Bonham-Carter on the bridge of HMS Edinburgh, 1942 | |
Born | 9 July 1889 Portsmouth, Hampshire |
Died | 5 September 1972 83) Petersfield, Hampshire | (aged
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1904–1945 |
Rank | Vice Admiral |
Commands held | HMS Intrepid HMS Shark |
Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Distinguished Service Order |
Naval career
Born the younger son of Lothian Bonham-Carter and Emily Maud Sumner, Bonham Carter joined the Royal Navy in 1904[1] and served in World War I commanding the block ship HMS Intrepid at the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918.[2] He also commanded the destroyer HMS Shark in the closing stages of the War.[1]
A keen cricketer, he played two first-class matches for the Royal Navy Cricket Club in 1925.[3] He was appointed Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, Africa Station in 1928[1] and made Assistant Director for Navy Equipment in 1932 before becoming Chief Staff Officer to the Commander of the 1st Cruiser Squadron in 1934.[1] He was given command of the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham in 1937 and made Naval Secretary in 1939.[2]
He also served in World War II commanding the 3rd Battle Squadron from 1940 and the 18th Cruiser Squadron from 1942.[2] It is said that he had something of a reputation of being a Jonah in any cruiser in which he raised his Admiral's flag, as these kept being sunk from under his feet.[4] He was made Flag Officer, Malta in 1942 and retired due to ill health in 1943 although he was recalled in 1944 to lead Naval Convoys.[2]
Family
In 1933 he married Eve Lloyd; they had one child, Joanna.[1] He is distantly related to the actress Helena Bonham Carter.[5]
Memorial
There is a memorial to him at St Mary's Church, Buriton.[6]
See also
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stuart Bonham-Carter. |
- Unit Histories
- Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
- CricketArchive
- Bassett, Ronald (1988). HMS Sheffield. pp. Chapter 14. ISBN 0-85368-911-3.
- Info re Bonham Carter family Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- Geograph
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by William Whitworth |
Naval Secretary May 1939 – November 1939 |
Succeeded by Neville Syfret |
Preceded by Sir Ralph Leatham |
Flag Officer, Malta 1942–1943 |
Succeeded by Sir Arthur Power |