David Petrie


Sir David Petrie was Director General of MI5, the United Kingdom's internal security service, from 1941 to 1946. He was described as "a rugged and kindly Scot, with... immense physical and moral strength".

Biography

Petrie worked in the Indian Imperial Police between 1900 and 1936. His highest level in British India was to chair the Union Public Service Commission. In April 1941, he was appointed Director General of MI5. His task was to reorganise the service so that it could improve its efficiency. In the spring of 1946, Petrie retired.
He was awarded Order of the Yugoslav Crown and other decorations.