Final ride home for “Pompey Gray”: Portsmouth family’s emotional farewell to a true biker legend
When Graham “Pompey Gray” Carter set off for a long-awaited holiday in Thailand, he was full of life — talking about the sunshine, the food, and the roads he couldn’t wait to explore. But just days before he was due to return home, tragedy struck.
Graham suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, passing away far from home and the family who adored him.
What followed was a heartbreaking and determined fight by his children to bring him back to the UK. Graham was a father of 11, a man whose life was as big and bold as his personality.
His family refused to let distance or bureaucracy stand in the way of bringing him home. After weeks of persistence, paperwork, and emotional strain, they succeeded — ensuring that “Pompey Gray” could rest where he belonged.
Now, his family are calling on the biker community to help give him the farewell he deserves — a final ride to his final resting place, surrounded by the roar of engines and the spirit of the open road that defined his life.
The convoy will take a special route past Portsmouth Football Club (PFC), a place close to Graham’s heart, before continuing on to his final destination. His daughter, Ali Dawkins, says the family’s goal is simple:
The family are inviting bikers from across the country to join the convoy, whether they knew Graham personally or simply want to pay tribute to a fellow rider.
Graham “Pompey Gray” Carter was more than a biker — he was a character, a storyteller, and a man who left an impression wherever he went. His final ride will be a celebration of that spirit, a moment for the community to come together and honour one of their own.
Ride free, Pompey Gray. The road is yours now.
Details:
📅 Date: 2nd February 2026
🕒 Time: 11am
📍 Meeting Point: Barrells Funeral Directors, 245 Fratton Road, Fratton, Portsmouth, PO1 5PA
🏁 Destination: Kingston Cemetery, St Mary’s Road, Fratton, Portsmouth, PO1 5PQ
Route: The ride will take a special route past Portsmouth Football Club (PFC)
For more information or to confirm attendance, please contact Ali Dawkins at [email protected].
Forever our proud blue — Graham ‘Pompey Gray’ Carter. A heart that beat for Pompey, for family, and for freedom. The roar of the crowd may fade, but your spirit never will 💙⚽️
With love, The Carter / Dawkins Family