DUKE OF KENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 October 1938, Page 5

DUKE OF KENT

APPOINTED GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA

TO TAKE OVER DUTIES IN 1939 . (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 26th October, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, 25th October. It is officially announced that the Duke of Kent has been appointed Governor-General of Australia in succession to Lord Gowrie. He will be taking over his duties in November, 1939. The Duke will be accompanied by the Duchess and the children.

The Duke of Kent, the fourth son of the late King George V. and Queen Mary, spent his early years, like his father, as a sailor. He was born on 30th November, 1906, and was only fourteen years of age when he joined the Royal Navy, his first appointment being to H.M.S. Iron Duke, flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. He served on many ships, from destroyers to battleships, his most exciting experience being when he was with the China Station and assisted in putting out a big hotel fire in Hong. Kong. Unfortunate in having a weak digestion and being, in consequence, subject to seasickness, Prince George left the Navy in 1929 to join the Foreign Office, although his name remained on the active list of the Navy.

His health made it inadvisable for the Prince to be tied down to an office desk and it was realised that he had now reached an age when he could assist his brothers to a greater extent in the duties of Royalty. In 1931 he toured South America w*h his brother, then Prince of Wales; in the following year he went to Sweden on an industrial mission; and, in 1934, he made a four thousand miles tour of South Africa. At that time it was intended that he should visit Australia and New Zealand, but it was decided that two such tours would be too great a strain.. With his marriage to Princess Manna, the abdication of his eldest brother and the accession of King George VI, the Duke of Kent assumed additional responsibilities.