Obituary

CARL GRAHAM

1949-2019

Carl, a major contributor to the Solent Branch for over 12 years, had a quiet manner that belied immense capabilities, wisdom and generosity that benefited both the Solent Branch and those of us fortunate to know and/or work with him.

Typical of Carl was his willingness when first approached to present a lecture to the Branch and to join the Committee and then to take on the roles of industrial liaison, raising of sponsorship for the R J Mitchell Lecture and Treasurer.

Having joined the Navy as a Junior Radio Operator at HMS Ganges at the age of 15, Lieutenant Commander Graham retired 26 years later. During that time Carl was commissioned, served as a communications officer on SS Canberra during the Falklands War, served on every type of surface ship and submarine, commanded five warships and RNCC Whalebone Cove, Port Stanley, and graduated from Royal Naval Engineering College with an MSc in Systems Engineering and from the NATO Advanced Joint Electronic Warfare Staff Course.

Carl then continued to serve as a Royal Navy Reserve specialist Minesweeper CO until the disbandment of the RNR Minesweeper Squadron.

At the same time, he launched a career in industry, taking on project management, marketing management and business development roles for GEC Marconi, BAE Systems and Selex Galileo, initially focussing on growth of the export of naval systems and ultimately as International Business Development Manager, expanding airborne and maritime EW opportunities, including supporting Eurofighter GmbH and Eurofighter export campaigns and partner companies. Never one to retire, Carl continued thereafter to run two companies, benefitting others with his advice and experience.

Carl was known for being both hardworking and a pleasure to work with, while also generous with his time and support of others. He supported the Mary Rose Trust as a volunteer, he lectured to the Society on Eurofighter systems and to many local aviation societies on his research into local aviation history. That included the research he undertook of the 23 June 1944 crash of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Paper Dollie when asked about it by the grandson of one of the crew.

The plaque Carl donated detailing the history of the flight and the crew remains in the Hampshire Bowman pub as a small local tribute to an extremely talented and generous member of the Solent Branch committee and someone I am very pleased to have known and to remember.

Tim Coffey
FRAeS