Oswald Armitage CARVER

The son of a Manchester cotton mill owner, Oswald Carver was educated at Charterhouse School before going up to Trinity College, Cambridge where he rowed for his college, and won his Blue in 1908, when Cambridge won by two and a half lengths. After finishing his education, Carver became a director in his father’s company, and was also actively involved in the scouting movement. He took a commission with the East Lancashire Company of the Royal Engineers and a few weeks after war broke out, he volunteered for service abroad but was turned down because of his poor hearing. A month later, he re-applied and this time was accepted. In September 1914 Carver was posted to Egypt with the Lancashires, where he was subsequently promoted to captain and then headed towards Gallipoli in support of the Manchester Regiment. Carver lost his life during the third Battle of Krithia when shot in the back, and died of his injuries three days later. Carver’s brother Basil was killed in action in 1916. Oswald’s widow Elizabeth married Field Marshal Montgomery in 1927.