Commander Michael Parker

Biographical Information

Commander Michael Parker (1920-2002) "was Private Secretary to the Duke of Edinburgh from 1948 to 1957 and one of his closest friends for nearly 60 years....

"The two friends were also members of what was known as the Thursday Club, which met for luncheon every Thursday in a private room at Wheeler's restaurant in Old Compton Street, Soho. Among the members were David Niven, Peter Ustinov and Patrick Campbell; among those invited to attend were Iain Macleod, the traitor Kim Philby, and Larry Adler (described by one member as "that ghastly little man who played the mouth organ")...

"After leaving Royal service, Parker made his career in business, where his contacts were considered invaluable. He worked for Lockheed, the aircraft corporation, and for the advertising agency Leo Burnett. Later he was chairman of Australian Dredging and General Services, and director of Spoerry, Australia, and of Spacelift Australia. He was also chairman of the Australian Plain English Foundation..."