Second World War initially as Inspector-General of Home Defence and then as Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces. in that role he always thought that the threat of a German invasion was exaggerated. He retired in 1940. He was also an Aide-de-Camp General to the King from 1937 to 1940. References External links The Daily Telegraph (London): Link Internet Archive: (sign up to view source material for footnotes), Link Journal of Intelligence History, Link Judd, Alan, "The Quest for C: Sir Mansfield Cumming and The Founding of the Secret Service", London, HarperCollins, 1999 The Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives: Link The London Gazette, Link Mackenzie, S.P., The Home Guard: A Military and Political History, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995 UK National Archives, Link Further reading Private Papers of General Sir Walter Kirke GCB CMG DSO can be found in the Imperial War Museum, Documents and Sound section, ref: Documents.20171 (82/28/1 & Con Shelf). Service Record: Link Organization of Military Intelligence (MI) Sections During World War I: Link |- 1877 births 1949 deaths People from Portsmouth Military personnel from Portsmouth British Army generals Royal Artillery officers British Army personnel of World War I British Army generals of World War II Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George Companions of the Distinguished Service Order