Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith Knight Commander of the Order of Street Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Defence Science Organisation was a British Army officer and a Governor of Queensland.
Background
He was born in London, on 8 March 1900, the son of Francis Abel Smith (1861-1908) and wife Madeline Saint Maur Seymour (1862-1951). His grandparents were Henry Abel-Smith and Elizabeth Mary Pym, and his great-grandparents were Francis Pym and Lady Lucy Leslie-Meville, daughter of Alexander Leslie-Melville, 9th Earl of Leven. He was also a descendant of Edward Seymour, 8th Duke of Somerset.
Education
Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
Career
Abel Smith was commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in December 1919. He retired as a Colonel in 1950. She was born Princess May of Teck, and was a niece of King George V and Queen Mary, and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
They had three children: Sir Henry was appointed Governor of Queensland from 18 March 1958, serving until 18 March 1966.
He was highly respected in the office of governor. People lined the streets as a mark of high esteem to bid farewell to him and Lady May Abel Smith on their final day in office on their way to Brisbane Airport.
Sir Henry died at Barton Lodge, Winkfield, Berkshire, on 24 January 1993. His funeral service took place at Saint George"s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
His cremated remains were buried at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore.
Membership
Her eldest son is the Conservative Member of Parliament Ian Liddell-Grainger.