The Prince of Wales was represented by Sir Stephen Lamport at a service of thanksgiving for the life of Major Richard Carr-Gomm, held on Wednesday, April 29, in Southwark Cathedral.

Canon Bruce Saunders, pastor, officiated and pronounced the blessing. Mr Gary Lashko, chief executive, Carr-Gomm, read the lesson.

Mr Paul Allen, chief executive, Abbeyfield Society, read Abou ben Adhem by James Leigh Hunt, Miss Harriet Carr-Gomm, daughter, read some extracts from her father’s writing. Mr David Carr-Gomm, son, and the Right Rev Christopher Herbert, patron, Abbeyfield Society, paid tribute.

During the service the Gemstones performed Fields of Gold by Sting and Something Inside So Strong by Labi Siffre. The Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards also played.

Among others present were: Mr and Mrs Adam Carr-Gomm (son and daughter-in-law), Mr and Mrs Piers Newon, Mr and Mrs Robert Parker (sons-in-law and daughters), Mr and Mrs Antony Carr-Gomm, Mr and Mrs Francis Eardley Carr-Gomm (brothers and sisters-in-law), Mr Sam Newton, Mr Aubrey Newton, Mr Oliver Newton and Miles Newton, Miss Matilda Kime, Miss Emily Kime, Daisy Parker, Alistair and Lilly Carr-Gomm (grandchildren) with other members of the family.

Viscount Ridley,Viscountess Knollys, Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone (president, Abbeyfield Society), Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, the Hon John Jolliffe, Lady Sainsbury, Dame Gillian Wagner, Sir Nicholas Winton, Sir Colin and Lady McColl, Prince and Lady Mugenyi of Toro, Princess Komuntale.

His Hon Judge Previte, QC, Mr Keith McDowall, Mr Bob McMullan, Mr Christopher Buxton, Mr Tim Chaudry, Mr Michael Dunne, Mr Mark Gleeson, Mr Bryan Hutchinson, Mr David Lovatt, Mr Michael Milner, Mr Michael Mitchell, Mr John Portman, Mr Michael Ripper, Mr Michael Staff, Mr Ken Staveley, Mr George Stringer, Mr Peter Childs, Mr John Connor, Mr Edwin Draper, Ms Susan Fanning, Ms Patricia Franks, Mr David Hogg, Dr Rosemary Hughes, Mr Simon Hulme, Mr Ian Hutchinson, Mr Peter Lincoln, Mr Mark Lister, Mr Ian McNulty, Mr Charles Merriman, Mr Joe Mist, Mr Peter Newman, Mr Maurice Pagella, Mr Fred Phillips, Mr Michael Rycroft, Mr George Ward, Mrs Patricia Watson, Mr Michael Whitlam, Ms Karenna Woods-Robinson, Ms Elisabeth Young, Mr E. Palmer, Mr and Mrs I. Ballantine, Mr and Mrs G. Barber, Ms Ann Blair, the Rev James Bogle, Mrs Louise Booth-Jones, Mr Raymond Bray, Mr R. Cazenove, Miss Iris Cohen, Mr and Mrs J. Colville, Mr A. Cooper, Major Edward Crofton, Mr Nick Dunne, Mr John Fingleton, Mr and Mrs A. Fletcher, Mr and Mrs S. Frisby, Mr Michael Gardom, Mr and Mrs H. Gibbs, Mr and Mrs A. Gibbs, Mrs N. Gillhead, Dr Elizabeth Griffiths, Mr N. Hamilton, Mr John Henslet, Mr W. Hill, Mr T. Holden, Mrs P. Hudleston, Mr and Mrs A. Lloyd-Davies, Ms Anne-Marie McRoberts, Mr and Mrs J. Macdonald, Mr N. Mackay, Mr J. Magoye, Mr and Mrs R. Mimmacks, Mr John Mitchell, Mr Anthony Sewell, the Rev and Mrs J. Perry, Mrs Max Pike, Mr John Rattray, Mr G. Russell, Mr T. Seymour, Mr A. Sutton, Mr and Mrs J. Sykes, Mr Richard Taylor, Mr Julian Terry, Mr Paul Wilson, Mr and Mrs J. Wright, with many more friends and former colleagues.