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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 the First and Second World Wars.
Born the younger son of Lothian Bonham-Carter and Emily Maud Sumner, Bonham Carter joined the Royal Navy in 1904.[1] He served in the First World War, commanding the block ship HMS Intrepid during the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918.[2] He also commanded the destroyer HMS Shark in the closing stages of the war.[1]
A keen cricketer, Bonham Carter 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 in 1928,[1] and made assistant director of 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]
Bonham Carter also served in the Second World War, 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] Bonham-Carter was made Flag Officer, Malta in 1942 and after periodically suffering from depression, insomnia, even to the extent of contemplating suicide, he retired due to ill health in 1943 (to be succeeded by Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Power); he was duly benefitted by rest and treatment and was eventually recalled in 1944 to lead naval convoys. It was perhaps unfortunate that a toxic atmosphere existed between Lord Gort (Malta Governor) and RAF's Sir Keith Park; Gort never forgave the RAF for what he perceived as their negligence in providing adequate air cover for troops departing Dunkirk and, given Park's leading role in that battle, this bias was deeply personal and ultimately became quite unhealthy. There was also a sharp divide in how both saw the RAF's function with Gort favouring pure defence while Park pursued offence against Rommel's supply lines as well as maintaining an aggressive defence. Bonham-Carter was somewhat caught between two strong characters and the constant tension and conflict could not have helped Bonham-Carter's mental state.[2]
In 1933 Bonham Carter married Eve Lloyd; they had one child, Joanna.[1] He is distantly related to the actress Helena Bonham Carter.[5]
There is a memorial to Bonham Carter at St Mary's Church, Buriton.[6]
