Lieutenant Colonel Sir Gerard Smith KCMG

1895 – 1900

Sir Gerard began his military career at the age of 18 and retired from the army in 1874 to join his father’s banking business.

Sir Gerard, who had been Groom-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria, was knighted in 1895. He was the first non-professional Governor appointed to Western Australia on 23 December 1895.

By the time Sir Gerard relinquished the post on 29 June 1900, Perth was growing into a city, a harbor was being built at Fremantle, Kalgoorlie was in its infancy and the pipeline to supply water to Coolgardie had begun.

On his return to England, he became director of several companies. He died in London in 1920.