Alexander Downer, Sr.

Sir Alexander Russell Downer KBE (7 April 1910 - 30 March 1981), Australian politician generally known as Alec Downer, was born in Adelaide, a part of the Downer family and son of John Downer [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080355b.htm Downer, Sir John William (1843 - 1915) Biographical Entry - Australian Dictionary of Biography Online ] ] , who was a former Premier of South Australia and member of the Australian Senate.

He was educated at Geelong Grammar School and at Oxford University, where he graduated in economics and political science. He practised as a barrister in Adelaide before joining the Australian Army in 1940. He served in Malaya and was a prisoner-of-war for three years. [ [http://www.angelfire.com/alt2/prisonersofwar/ AUSTRALIAN PRISONERS of WAR - World War 2 ] ]

After the war Downer joined the newly formed Liberal Party of Australia and in 1949 he was elected to the House of Representatives for the rural based Division of Angas. He was Minister for Immigration from 1958 to 1963. He retired from Parliament upon his appointment as Australian High Commissioner in London [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/Opinion/A-journey-into-Downers-dark-past/2005/05/31/1117305617682.html A journey into Downer's dark past - Opinion - smh.com.au ] ] , a position he held until 1972. He was knighted in 1965, becoming Sir Alexander Downer. He was made a Freeman of the City of London in 1965.

He was the godfather of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, Princess of Wales. The Earl's godmother was Queen Elizabeth II.

Sir Alec's son, Alexander Downer, was also a Liberal politician, who was Leader of the Opposition 1994-95 and Foreign Minister of Australia 1996-2007.

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