Page "Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis" Paragraph 1

Alexander was born in London, England, to parents of noble heritage, and was educated at English public schools before moving on to Sandhurst for training as an army officer.

He rose to prominence through his service in the First World War, receiving numerous honours and decorations, and continued his military career through various British campaigns across Europe and Asia.

In the Second World War, Alexander acted as a high ranking commander in North Africa and Italy.

He commanded 15th Army Group in Sicily and again in Italy before being made Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean.

He was in 1946 appointed as governor general by George VI, king of Canada, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of Canada William Lyon Mackenzie King, to replace the Earl of Athlone as viceroy, and he occupied the post until succeeded by Vincent Massey in 1952.

Alexander proved to be enthusiastic about the Canadian wilderness, as well as a popular governor general with the Canadian people, and he would be the last non-Canadian-born governor general before the appointment of Adrienne Clarkson in 1999.