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SIS 56 Report concerning the disappearance of two former PFcreign Cffice officials, On the evening of Friday, May 25, 1951, Mr. Donald Duart Maclean, a Counsellcr in the Senicr Branch cf the Foreign Service ami at that time head of the American Department in the Foreign Office, and ir, Guy Francis de Moncy Burgess, a #eccn? Secretary in the Junior Branch of the Foreign Service, left « the United. Kinrdom from Southampten on the boat for St.tialo, Tho circumstances cf their departure from England, for which they had not sought sanction; were such as to make it obvious that they had deliberately . fled the ccuntry. Both officers were susperded from duty on June 1, 1951 and their appcintmont in the Foreden O1fico was | terminated cn June 1, 1952, with effect from =~ June 1, 1951, - 2, Maclean was the son cf a fcermer Cabinet Minister, Sir Donaldnclean. He was born +4n 1913 and was cducatOd at Gresham's School, Helt, ard Trinity Ccollego, Cambridge, where he had a distinguished academic record, He successfully compated for the diplomatic service in 1935 and was posted in the first instance to the Foreign Office, He served . . subsequently in Paris, at ‘tashington and in Cairo, He was an officer of excepticnal : ability and was promcted@ tn the wank of : ~ Counsellor at the early age of 35. He was married tr. an American lady and had two 7oung sons. 4& third child was born shortly after his disappearance, ye Th Weiy W990 Woke serving at her fajesty's Embassy, Cairc, Maclean was guilty of sericus misconduct and suffered a form cf breakdown - which was attributed te cverwork and excessive = drinking. Until the breakdown tcok place his work hac reirainod eminently satisfactory and there was no grount «hatsoover for dcubting his icyalty. after recupsraticn ard loavs at home he was passed medically fit, am in / October 1950 = HS