John Graham (British Army officer, born 1923) facts for kids

Major General John David Carew Graham (born 18 January 1923 – died 14 December 2012) was an important officer in the British Army. He played a key role in helping Qaboos bin Said become the new leader, or Sultan, of Oman in 1970.

Early Military Life

John Graham was born on 18 January 1923. He was the oldest of three sons. He went to Cheltenham College from 1936 to 1940.

During the Second World War, he first served with the Isle of Wight Home Guard. This was a defense force made up of ordinary citizens. In August 1941, he joined the British Army as a private soldier in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

In August 1942, he became an officer in the 2nd Battalion of that regiment. He fought in North West Europe during the war. He was injured during a military operation called Operation Plunder. After the war, he served in Palestine during a time of conflict known as the Palestine Emergency.

In late 1948, John Graham went to London to learn the Czech language. He then worked at the British Embassy in Prague from 1949 to 1950. His job there was to secretly watch the activities of the Czech Armed Forces. This included checking on new airfields and army camps. This was a very tense time, and many thought a Soviet attack on Western Europe was possible.

Later, he worked for the British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in London. This is a government agency that collects information. He then joined the Parachute Regiment. He became the Second-in-Command of the 2nd Battalion and later the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion from 1964 to 1967.

Role in Oman

John Graham was promoted to Brigadier. He learned Arabic before taking command of the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) in Oman in 1970.

At that time, the leader of Oman was Sultan Said bin Taimur. He was an absolute ruler, meaning he had complete power. He had stopped almost all modern developments in Oman. He relied on Britain to help run the country. Since 1962, there had been a rebellion in Oman. A group called the Dhofar Liberation Front (DLF) was fighting against the Sultan. Other rebel groups also formed.

In June 1970, rebel groups attacked two army posts. This event made many people, including the British advisors to the Sultan, believe that a change was needed.

On 23 July 1970, Sultan Said bin Taimur was removed from power. This change in leadership happened because Brigadier John Graham, who was the army's chief intelligence officer, and Colonel Hugh Oldman, the supreme commander of the army, insisted that Sultan Said give up his power. When Sultan Said's son, Qaboos, faced his father, with Graham present, shots were fired. The Sultan was then flown out of Oman by the British Royal Air Force (RAF).

The day after this change, it was John Graham who wrote down the notes from the meeting of Sultan Qaboos' new advisory cabinet. For his important service, Graham received the Order of Oman in 1972.

Later Career and Retirement

In 1974, John Graham became the Assistant Chief of Staff for Joint Exercises at Allied Forces Central Europe. After being promoted to major-general, he became the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Wales in 1976. He retired from the army in 1978.

After leaving the army, he moved to Barbados in the West Indies in 1991. In 1992, he was made a freeman of the City of London. He passed away in Barbados on 14 December 2012, at the age of 89.

Family Life

John Graham married Rosemary Elaine Adamson. They had two children together. Their daughter, Jacqueline (nicknamed 'Pinky'), was born in September 1957. Their son, Christopher, was born in July 1959.