Brigadier Richard Carver, CBE, DSO, MC, 1945

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North West Europe, 1945.

Carver had fought in the North Africa campaign from 1941, winning an MC during the bitter struggle for Tobruk. A substantive captain, he was made temporary acting Lieutenant-Colonel at the age of 27, on taking up a brief posting as GS01 (senior staff officer) of the 7th Armoured Division in 1942. As commanding officer of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment from April 1943, Carver won his first DSO, leading a dangerous reconnaissance before the decisive battle of El Alamein.

The second DSO followed the Allied landing at Salerno, after which he played a leading part in the capture of Naples. He also led his regiment into Normandy in June 1944. Shortly afterwards, at the age of 29, he became the army's youngest brigadier when he was given the command of 4th Armoured Brigade. Carver was awarded a CBE in 1945.

From an album containing 73 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).