Michael Carver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Carver
|
|
|---|---|
Sir Michael Carver, then a full general, in 1967
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Mike" |
| Born | 24 April 1915 Bletchingley, Surrey, England |
| Died | 9 December 2001 (aged 86) Fareham, Hampshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1935–1976 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Service number | 64649 |
| Unit | Royal Tank Regiment |
| Commands held | Chief of the Defence Staff Chief of the General Staff Southern Command Far East Command 3rd Infantry Division 6th Infantry Brigade 4th Armoured Brigade 1st Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Second World War
Operation Banner |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order & Bar Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
Field Marshal Richard Michael Power Carver, Baron Carver (1915–2001) was a very important officer in the British Army. People often called him "Mike." He served as the top leader of the British Army, called the Chief of the General Staff. Later, he became the head of all British armed forces, known as the Chief of the Defence Staff. He was a brave and skilled leader during the Second World War. He also helped manage British forces in Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising. Later in his career, he advised the British government on early issues in The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Contents
Michael Carver's Military Journey
Early Life and Training
Michael Carver was born in April 1915, during the First World War. His father was also an officer in the British Army. Michael went to Winchester College and then to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. Sandhurst is a famous place where army officers are trained. At Sandhurst, he won the King's Medal for being the best cadet.
In 1935, Carver became a second lieutenant in the Royal Tank Corps. This was a new part of the army that used tanks. After special training, he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Tank Corps. In 1938, he became a lieutenant and went to Egypt with his regiment. His unit later became the 1st Royal Tank Regiment.
World War II Hero
When the Second World War began in September 1939, Carver was still in Egypt. He quickly took on more responsibility. He became a staff captain for the 7th Armoured Division. In this role, he helped organize supplies for the division. He was recognized for his work during the early parts of the Western Desert campaign.
Carver then attended Staff College in Palestine. After that, he returned to the 7th Armoured Division as a major. He also helped create a new army group called XXX Corps. He served with this group during important battles in North African campaign. His excellent work earned him the Military Cross in 1942. At just 27 years old, he became a lieutenant colonel. He then became the chief of staff for the 7th Armoured Division. He fought with them in the Second Battle of El Alamein and the Tunisian campaign.
In 1943, he became the leader of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment. He led them bravely in North Africa, earning the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He then led them in Italy, where he received a second award (a Bar) for his DSO. In June 1944, he became the commander of the 4th Armoured Brigade. At 29, he was the youngest brigadier in the British Army. He led his brigade through the rest of the fighting in Normandy and the North-West Europe campaign of 1944–45. He was also awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1945.
After the War
After the war, Carver continued his military career. He worked for the Ministry of Supply and later for Allied Forces Central Europe. In 1954, he became Deputy Chief of Staff in East Africa Command. He helped with the final stages of the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya. He was again recognized for his service.
He later became Director of Plans at the War Office in London. In 1960, he commanded the 6th Brigade. In 1962, he became the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3rd Division. His division was sent to Cyprus in 1964. He then worked at the Ministry of Defence. In this role, he made big changes to the size of the Territorial Army.
In 1966, he became the GOC of Far East Land Forces. He was promoted to lieutenant-general. In 1967, he became the Commander-in-Chief of all British forces in the Far East. By 1968, he was a full general.
Leading the British Army
In 1971, Michael Carver became the Chief of the General Staff (CGS). This meant he was the professional head of the British Army. In this role, he advised the British government on how to handle the early problems in The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
In 1973, he was promoted to field marshal, the highest rank in the British Army. Soon after, he became the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS). This made him the professional head of all British armed forces. He retired from the army in 1976.
Life After the Army
After retiring, Michael Carver became a life peer in 1977. This meant he was given the title of Baron Carver and could sit in the House of Lords. He also held honorary positions in several army regiments.
In 1977, he was asked to help end a dispute over independence in Rhodesia. However, he resigned after 14 months because no progress was made. Lord Carver wrote many books about military history. He was also known for disagreeing with Britain's Trident missile program. He believed it was not needed because America's nuclear weapons were powerful enough.
He enjoyed sailing, tennis, and gardening. He passed away in 2001.
Family Life
In 1947, Michael Carver married Edith Lowry-Corry. They had two sons and two daughters. Lady Carver passed away in 2019. Michael Carver's mother was related to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, a very famous British general.
Books Written by Lord Carver
Lord Carver was also a writer. He wrote many books about military history and his experiences. Some of his books include:
- Second to None: The Royal Scots Greys 1918–1945 (1946)
- Tobruk (1956)
- El Alamein (1962)
- The War Lords (edited) (1976)
- Harding of Petherton (1978)
- The Apostles of Mobility: The Theory and Practice of Armoured Warfare (1979)
- War Since 1945 (1980)
- A Policy for Peace (1982)
- The Seven Ages of the British Army (1984)
- Dilemmas of the Desert War: A New Look at the Libyan Campaign, 1940-1942 (1986)
- Twentieth-Century Warriors: The Development of the Armed Forces of the Major Military Nations in the Twentieth Century (1987)
- Out of Step: Memoirs of a Field Marshal (1989)
- Tightrope Walking: British Defence Policy Since 1945 (1992)
- Britain's Army in the 20th Century (1998)
- Imperial War Museum Book of the War in Italy: A Vital Contribution to Victory in Europe 1943–1945 (2002)
- The National Army Museum Book of the Turkish Front 1914–18: The Campaigns at Gallipoli, in Mesopotamia and in Palestine (2003)
