20 fun and informative facts about our founder
Recognised worldwide as a social reformer, Abbeyfield founder Richard Carr-Gomm is well known for his mission of alleviating the loneliness that often comes with older age. We’ve collated twenty fun, informative and interesting facts you most likely didn’t know about our Founder.
1. Born 2nd January, 1922 at Mancetter Lodge near Atherstone, North Warwickshire – born a twin, the third of four boys. His twin was miscarried in early pregnancy.
2. Richard lost a kidney and only had one working lung for 40 years.
3. He was a morning person.
4. He served in the Royal Berkshire Regiment and the Coldstream Guards from 1939-1955. Tank Commander and subsequently Major. As a young man he wanted to follow the footsteps of his great, great uncle, Sir William Maynard Gomm, and become a Field Marshal.
5. Kept his beard because he had a much scarred chin from shrapnel wounds from his 2nd World War time service
6. Published his autobiography ‘Push on the Door’ in 1979, published by the Carr-Gomm Society. ‘All things Considered’ was published in 2005 which is an update to his autobiography