Admiral Carr was born in Wellington in 1920 and joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1941, being seconded to the Royal Navy where he saw considerable war service. In 1942 he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant, in the Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve.
In 1946 he was granted a permanent commission in the Royal New Zealand Navy, specialising in communications, subsequently being again seconded to the Royal Navy.
In 1951 he was appointed Commanding Officer of
HMNZS IRIRANGI and in 1953, the Commanding Officer of HMNZS KANIERE. He commanded HMNZS KANIERE in the
Korean War, being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Following a wide variety of postings he was appointed Chief of Naval Staff in 1969, being promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. He was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1971 and retired in 1972.