Ismay: Soldier, Statesman, Diplomat

John Kiszely shines a light on the remarkable achievements of General Lord Ismay, from his work at Churchill’s side during the Second World War to his role in establishing Nato and the Ministry of Defence.

General Lord Ismay's name is little known today, but he participated in, and was witness to, decision-making at the highest level of government, before, during and after the Second World War (1939-45).

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, he was Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence, responsible for advising government on strategy and preparations for war. As wartime Chief Staff Officer to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, he became a close confidant and rarely left Churchill's side. He was also instrumental in conciliating the sometimes-fractious relationship between the prime minister and the military Chiefs of Staff.

In 1947, Ismay went to India as Chief of Staff to the Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, and was closely involved in the turmoil of Partition. As the first Secretary General of Nato from 1952 to 1957, he helped to lay the organisation's foundations and preserve its unity and cohesion at the height of the Cold War. He also played a central role in reshaping the higher management of defence in Britain, including the creation of the Ministry of Defence.

In this fascinating talk, John Kiszely will tell the story of Ismay's influential, yet largely unheralded, life and work.

About the speaker

John Kiszely

John Kiszely served in the British Army for 40 years, including as Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff and Director General of the UK Defence Academy. He has been a visiting professor at King’s College London and visiting research fellow at the Changing Character of War Centre, University of Oxford.