Vernon Kell

Major General Sir Vernon Kell KBE, CB
Born	21 November 1873 Great Yarmouth
Died	27 March 1942(1942-03-27) (aged 68)
Nationality	British
Other names	'K'
Occupation(s)	Intelligence officer, soldier
Espionage activity
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service branch	MI5
Service years	1909–1940
Rank	Director of MI5
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Years of service	1894–1939
Rank	Major General
Unit	South Staffordshire Regiment
Battles / wars	Boxer Rebellion First World War
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy)

Major General Sir Vernon George Waldegrave Kell, KBE, CB (21 November 1873 – 27 March 1942) was a British Army general and the founder and first Director of the British Security Service, otherwise known as MI5. Known as K, he was described in Who's Who as "Commandant, War Department Constabulary".^[1]