Cecil Graves

Captain Sir Cecil George Graves (4 March 1892 – 12 January 1957) was joint Director-General of the BBC with Robert Foot from 26 January 1942 to 6 September 1943.

Early life The son of Charles L. Graves and the eldest sister of Viscount Grey of Fallodon, Alice Grey, Graves was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, (like his predecessor Reith) and then at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Graves was also a member of the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Broadcasting Council of Scotland (now known as Audience Council Scotland).

Family In 1921, Graves married Irene Helen Bagnell, a daughter of H. W. J. Bagnell, of the Indian Civil Service, and they had two sons. The eldest, Michael, was an RAF Spitfire Squadron leader who took part in the battle of Malta in which he was awarded a DFC. He fought in the D Day invasion and took part in the first ever flight of operational jets. After the war he was a jet pilot for Rolls-Royce and then Westland of Yeovil. In 1949 Michael was killed aged 28 while test flying a Wyvern.

Honours Military Cross Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1939 Grand Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau, Netherlands