Oswald Allen Harker

Brigadier Oswald Allen Harker CBE (1886–1968), known as Jasper Harker, was Acting Director General of MI5 from 1940 to 1941.

Brigadier

Oswald Harker

CBE
Born1886
Died1968
NationalityBritish
OccupationIntelligence officer
Espionage activity
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service branchMI5
RankDirector General of MI5

Background

Oswald Allen Harker was born in Cirencester in 1886, the son of James Allen Harker, professor at the Royal Agricultural College, and his wife Lizzie Allen Harker. His younger brother was Brigadier Arthur William Allen Harker CBE.[1]

Career

Harker joined the Indian Police in 1905, and served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bombay during World War I. He joined MI5 in 1920, after being invalided home from India the previous year.[2]

Harker served as the Deputy Director General prior to his promotion.[1] He was promoted to acting Director General of MI5 in June 1940 when Major-General Sir Vernon Kell was dismissed.[1] When Sir David Petrie was appointed as the new Director General in April 1941 Harker stepped down to be the Deputy Director General again.[1]

gollark: ?ban <@151149148639330304>
gollark: Hello ESOPROGRAMMERS! SOMEONE PINGED ME.
gollark: How many apples fit inside a Boeing 737 MAX?
gollark: <@330678593904443393> What is the answer to bees?
gollark: I assumed you were complaining about sinthorion hackerizing your browser but sure.

References
  1. "Oswald Allen Harker (1886-1968)". State Secrets... Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
  2. C.A.G. Simkins, F.H. Hinsley, British Intelligence in the Second World War: Security and Counter-intelligence v. 4 (Stationery Office, 1990)
Government offices
Preceded by
Major-General Sir Vernon Kell		 Director General of MI5 (acting)
1940–1941		 Succeeded by
Sir David Petrie


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