11 Facts About Terence Airey

Terence Airey was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Terence Airey later went on to serve as a staff officer in the Sudan in 1929 and on the British Military Mission to the Egyptian Army.

Terence Airey was still involved in military affairs at the outbreak of the Second World War, by which time he was a lieutenant colonel.

In June 1944, Terence Airey was promoted major general and was later appointed Assistant Chief of Staff to General Harold Alexander.

Terence Airey's cover was as a Mr MacNeilly who claimed to be on a business trip to buy a German dachshund called Fritzel.

Terence Airey did not, however succeed in arranging the meeting, and when the Soviets found out, the United States and United Kingdom were accused of going behind their allies' backs.

In 1947, he was appointed Commander and Military Governor of the Anglo-American Zone, Trieste, which was later handed over to the Italians and Yugoslavs The position was originally intended to be only temporary, but Terence Airey continued in it until 1951.

Terence Airey helped restore stability to a war-battered area, particularly in the harbour and in re-opening trade routes.

Terence Airey is said to have been dearly missed by the people of Trieste.

Terence Airey retired from military service in 1954, and served as honorary Colonel of the Regiment of the Durham Light Infantry until 1956.

Terence Airey is known to have attended early meetings of the Bilderberg Group and was a member of the Group's European Steering Committee.