Sir Vernon Kell | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 21 November 1873 |
| Died | 27 March 1942 (aged 68) |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | 'K' |
| Occupation(s) | Intelligence officer, soldier |
| Espionage activity | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service branch | MI5 |
| Service years | 1909–1940 |
| Rank | Director of MI5 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1894–1939 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | South Staffordshire Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Boxer Rebellion First World War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy) |
Major General Sir Vernon George Waldegrave Kell, KCMG, KBE, CB (21 November 1873 – 27 March 1942) was a British Army general and the founder and first Director of the British Security Service, otherwise known as MI5. Known as K, he was described in Who's Who as "Commandant, War Department Constabulary".[1]
- ^ H. Montgomery Hyde, "A matter of official secrets", The Times, 4 December 1976