Douglas Kendrew

Major General Sir Douglas Anthony Kendrew (22 July 1910 – 28 February 1989) was a British rugby player, military officer and a former Governor of Western Australia 1963-1974.

Early years
Douglas Kendrew was born in Barnstaple, Devon, England in 1910. As "Joe Kendrew", he played rugby union for England 10 times and was captain of the team in 1935. He was a member of the 1930 British Lions tour of Australasia but did not represent the Lions in any of the test matches.

Military career
He became a lieutenant with the Royal Leicestershire Regiment in 1931 and was promoted to major in 1941. During World War II he served in North Africa and Italy in 1943 and served as a Brigade Commander in Italy, Greece and the Middle East between 1944 and 1946. His leadership and bravery saw the rare distinction of being awarded the Distinguished Service Order four times. During the 1950s, Sir Douglas was the Commander of the British Brigade, Commonwealth Division in the Korean War and General Officer Commanding and Director of Operations in Cyprus. In September 1958 he survived an assassination attempt by EOKA fighters which killed one of his escorts.

He 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 in Canberra from 1961 to 1963. He was promoted to Major General in 1963.

Governor of Western Australia
Sir Douglas Kendrew was appointed Governor of Western Australia on 25 October 1963, serving until 6 January 1974. He was so well-liked that his term was extended twice.

His daughter Marcia married Colonel Richard Abel Smith, the son of Sir Henry Abel Smith, a Governor of Queensland.

He returned to England, where he died in 1989.

Tribute
In April 2012, RAF Cottesmore in Rutland was renamed Kendrew Barracks after him.