Henry Abel Smith
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Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith KCMG KCVO DSO (8 March 1900–24 January 1993) was a British Army officer and a Governor of Queensland.
He was born on 8 March 1900, the son of Francis Abel Smith and wife Madeline St. Maur, from a branch of Seymour family.
Abel Smith was commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards from Sandhurst in December 1919. He served in the Second World War, winning the Distinguished Service Order. He retired as a Colonel in 1950.
On 24 October 1931, he married Lady May Cambridge (born Princess May of Teck), a daughter of the 1st Earl of Athlone, brother of Queen Mary, consort of King George V and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, granddaughter of Queen Victoria. They had three children together:
- Anne Mary Sibylla Abel Smith (born 28 July 1932); she married David Liddell-Grainger (26 January 1930 - 12 March 2007) on 14 December 1957; they were divorced in 1981 but have five children and eight grandchildren. Her eldest son is the Conservative Member of Parliament Ian Liddell-Grainger.
- Colonel Richard Francis Abel Smith (11 October 1933–23 December 2004); he married Marcia Kendrew (born 27 March 1940) on 28 April 1960; they have one daughter and four grandchildren.
- Elizabeth Alice Abel Smith (born 5 September 1936); she married Peter Wise (born 29 December 1929) on 29 April 1965; they divorced in 1975 and had one daughter who died as an infant.
Sir Henry was appointed as the Governor of Queensland from 18 March 1958 to 18 March 1966. He was highly respected in the office of governor. People lined the streets as a mark of high esteem to farewell him and Lady May Abel Smith on their final day in office on their way to Brisbane Airport.
Sir Henry's funeral service took place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, Windsor Castle. His remains were buried at the Frogmore Royal Burial Ground. His wife survived him by only sixteen months.
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| Preceded by Sir John Lavarack |
Governor of Queensland 1958 – 1966 |
Succeeded by Sir Alan Mansfield |
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