Hugh Kenyon Molesworth Kindersley, 2nd Baron Kindersley CBE, MC (7 May 1899 – 6 October 1976) was a British businessman, banker and soldier. His father was businessman Robert Kindersley, 1st Baron Kindersley GBE.
Kindersley was born in Knightsbridge, London. He was educated at Eton College.
Kindersley was a managing director of Lazard Brothers, London from 1927 to 1964, Chairman from 1953, and a director from 1965 to 1971. During his service at Lazard, he was also a director of the Bank of England from 1947 to 1967, Chairman of Royal Exchange Assurance from 1955 to 1967, and Chairman of Rolls-Royce Limited from 1956 to 1968.
Kindersley was commissioned into the Scots Guards in 1917 and served during the First World War. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1918. At the outbreak of the Second World War he rejoined the Scots Guards. He later commanded a tank battalion of the Scots Guards in the Guards Armoured Division. He completed a parachute training course and also qualified as a glider pilot. In May 1943, promoted to Brigadier, The Honourable Hugh Kindersley was appointed Commanding officer of the 6th Airlanding Brigade. It was on his recommendation that Major John Howard and D Company 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (the 52nd) were selected to lead the coup de main operation at Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge before the Allied invasion of the Normandy beaches began. Kindersley commanded 6 Airlanding Brigade, part of 6th Airborne Division, during the Normandy landings on D Day, 6 June 1944, landing at 03.30 hours with 6 Airborne divisional headquarters. He was later wounded during the Battle of Breville, and evacuated to England. He was replaced as commanding officer of 6 Airlanding Brigade by Brigadier Edward Flavell.
Kindersley was appointed MBE in 1941 and CBE in 1945. He was chairman of the Officers Association from 1946 to 1956. He was Honorary Colonel of 10th Parachute Battalion from 1947 to 1952. He was High Sheriff of London in 1951. He succeeded his father as second baron in 1954. He was appointed Commander, Royal Order of St Olav of Norway in 1958. He lived in Leigh, near Tonbridge, Kent. He was succeeded in the barony by his son, Robert Hugh Molesworth Kindersley.
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ralph Brook |
High Sheriff of the County of London 1951–1952 |
Succeeded by Sir George Bolton |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by Robert Kindersley |
Baron Kindersley 1954–1976 |
Succeeded by Robert Kindersley |