17 Facts About Douglas Kendrew

Douglas Anthony Kendrew was born in Barnstaple, Devon, England on 22 July 1910: he was the elder son of Alexander John Kendrew, and was educated at Uppingham School.

Douglas Kendrew married in 1936 Nora Elizabeth Harvey, of Malin Hall, County Donegal; the couple had a son and a daughter.

Douglas Kendrew played rugby union for England 10 times and was captain of the team in 1935.

Douglas Kendrew was a member of the 1930 British Lions tour of Australasia but did not represent the Lions in any of the test matches.

Douglas Kendrew joined Uppingham School Officer Training Corps, and attained the rank of cadet under officer.

Douglas Kendrew was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the Leicestershire Regiment Supplementary Reserve of Officers on 18 January 1930, and joined the regiment on 28 August 1931.

Douglas Kendrew was promoted to lieutenant in 1934, captain in 1939 and major in 1946.

Douglas Kendrew was then an instructor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst until 1 September 1939, the day the Second World War began.

Douglas Kendrew commanded the 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, of 138th Infantry Brigade in 46th Infantry Division, in North Africa and Italy in 1943 and served as commander of the 128th Infantry Brigade in Italy, Middle East, Greece and Austria between 1944 and 1946.

Douglas Kendrew had been appointed several times as acting and temporary lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier from March 1943 and on 28 July 1951 he received the permanent rank of colonel.

Douglas Kendrew was appointed to the Adjutant General's and Quartermaster General's Staff, Northern Ireland District in October 1950 and served there until 27 September 1952.

Douglas Kendrew was appointed in the temporary rank of major general as general officer commanding and director of operations Cyprus District in October 1956 until October 1958, during a turbulent period of British rule.

For two years from December 1958, Douglas Kendrew was director of infantry at the War Office in London.

Douglas Kendrew was the director of information at the War Office from 1959 to 1960 and then head of British Defence Liaison Staff at the British High Commission to Australia in Canberra from 1961 to 1963.

Douglas Kendrew retired from the army on 1 September 1963.

Douglas Kendrew was appointed Governor of Western Australia on 23 September 1963, serving until 6 January 1974.

Douglas Kendrew was honorary colonel of the Special Air Service Regiment, RWAR Australia in 1965; president of the Knights of the Round Table ; commissioner, Royal Hospital, Chelsea.