General Alan Gordon Cunningham

In November 1945 General Cunningham was appointed high commissioner and commander-in-chief Palestine and high commissioner Transjordan. He brought his customary courage and shrewdness to the difficult problem of attempting to mediate between Arabs and Jews, holding the appointment until May 1948 when the British left Palestine. Caught in 'a bitter contest between Jews and Arabs, each fearing domination by the other', he nevertheless 'enabled the British to depart from Palestine with a modest amount of dignity and, in their own eyes, self-respect' Image courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery