The Secret Ministry of Ag. & Fish Read online

  At the reception in the Château de Valençay after the ceremony, many people told me that for them the most moving moment of the ceremony, the most poignant of all their memories of that day at Valençay, had been when Bob had put his arm around my shoulders and held me tight as we prepared to read out the names of many of our comrades who will not grow old as we who are left have grown old. They said his gesture had brought tears to many eyes. I understood. It had brought tears to mine. Such moments remind me that we will not forget, but will remember with pride those who will forever remain young in the hearts of all who knew and loved them.

  Chapter 22

  Beaulieu revisited

  When the files were opened in the year 2000, Lord Montagu invited SOE survivors to a wonderful reception at his home in Beaulieu, the place which for so many of us held fond, often painful, memories. He himself did not share those memories. He had been at Eton at the time, ending his schooldays a short while before the Japanese surrender in August 1945, by which time the heart and soul of ‘Group B’ had become only a ghost. And all that was left of SOE’s presence on his family’s estate was rapidly being torn down as the houses which had sheltered agents from so many different European countries were handed back to their original owners.

  On that glorious summer day we gathered as old friends in the grounds of Palace House. Princess Anne was present, as well as members of the Montagu family. Sadly, Lord Montagu’s mother, who had been with us at the House in the Woods on that memorable evening when we had had a splendid party and rejoiced because the war in Europe was finally over, had died shortly before, aged 100. When I was presented to the princess she seemed to be genuinely interested in hearing about all that had happened at Beaulieu during the war. The Montagus are, after all, distant relatives of her family. While we were talking, three Hudson aircraft thundered overhead, giving the salute. People cheered and waved, and we all looked up and watched as they vanished then reappeared, dipped their wings and saluted us again.

  ‘When I see those Second World War planes and hear them roaring overhead, I feel shivers going up and down my spine, don’t you?’ the princess enquired. I could only agree.

  The following day, I went back to the House in the Woods to revive old memories. But it’s strange how one’s memory can play tricks. Everything seemed to be on a smaller scale than I remembered. The House in the Woods, which had been home to the twenty-five officer instructors, had seemed enormous in the early 1940s. But when I went inside more than sixty years later and stood in the beautiful drawing room where the grand piano, on which Colonel Woolrych had played every morning before breakfast, still held pride of place, I couldn’t believe that this was the room where I had danced on the eve of VE Day. It appeared to have shrunk. How had we all crowded into it on that spring evening so many years ago? Yet we had. Now the house stood empty; only the ghosts of its former wartime occupants inhabited its rooms and corridors, and hovered on the wide staircase.

  ‘The Rings’, our rather ugly stockbroker-Tudor HQ, had been knocked down, and a large, modern bungalow, which I found equally ugly, now stood in its place, but the owners had kept part of the original name. I think it was called ‘Rings Corner’ or something equally twee.

  Lastly I knocked on the door of the cottage where I had lived all those years ago. It was now inhabited by a market gardener, who was astonished and eager to know more when I told him how his little cottage had been involved in our activities on the estate during the war. The files had only just been opened and, like so many people, he had no idea even of SOE’s existence, much less the important role the Beaulieu estate and his cottage had played during those dramatic years.

  The sun began to sink, a fiery red ball slowly drifting towards the horizon, as I walked once again in the sheltered cloisters housing the Montagu family chapel, out of whose dim interior the Grenadier Guards’ band had poured on the previous day to Beat the Retreat. On one wall of the cloisters a plaque had been unveiled in April 1969 by General Sir Colin Gubbins, former head of SOE, honouring the memory of all the trainee agents who had passed through this tranquil place, which had been perhaps their final glimpse of England before entering enemy territory. I stood in front of the plaque, remembering those men and women I had known, many of whom had not returned, and read the inscription: ‘Remember before God those men and women of the European Resistance Movement who were secretly trained in Beaulieu to fight their lonely battle against Hitler’s Germany, and who, before entering Nazi-occupied territory here found some measure of the peace for which they fought.’ Those words commemorate over 3,000 men and women of at least fifteen different European nationalities, and a number of Canadians and Americans, who, during the Second World War, had been trained at Beaulieu.

  And I remember thinking, and fervently hoping, that they had found peace, their last days of peace before they entered enemy territory to face the turmoil and tensions and fear of living undercover in German-occupied Europe. Peace, that peace which we all seek and long for, not only in wartime, when it is a vision we grasp and one day hope to achieve, but in our ordinary, everyday ‘peacetime’ life. Sadly, in this modern world, that peace for which courageous men and women fought and often sacrificed their lives still remains for many people only an illusion: a goal they never reach.

  As I turned away from the plaque that Indian summer evening, the inscription imprinted on my mind, I realized that out of the six women who had worked at Beaulieu during the war I may be the only survivor. I looked around those sunlit cloisters and I think I understood a little of what those future agents must have felt when they too turned away from Beaulieu and faced with courage whatever fate had in store for them. They were so young . . . with their whole lives before them. What must have been their thoughts as they drifted down out of the night sky to face an unknown enemy?

  When he returned, one agent told me with a smile that as he had dangled above the dark ground, not knowing whether friend or foe awaited him, he couldn’t help saying to himself, ‘What on earth am I doing here? I must be crazy. I could have been sitting in a bar in London, having a drink, spending a pleasant evening with friends, and enjoying the relative safety of a free country, instead of leaping alone into the unknown.’ Then he had hit the ground with a bump, and out of the dark, willing hands had come forward to help him shed his parachute which, caught in the wind, was dragging him along the ground. And as he had looked up into so many unknown, but friendly, faces smiling in welcome, he had felt a sudden surge of emotion and knew that had he, at that moment, been able to change his mind and return to London, he would have chosen to be where he was, where he was meant to be, that what he was doing might be crazy, but for him it was right.

  I can only think and hope that this is how most of them must have felt – that what they were doing was right, whatever the future might hold. I feel very privileged to have been a member of Churchill’s Secret Army, and very humbled to have known and, I hope, been a friend to so many exceptional, courageous and truly wonderful people, many of whom did not ‘grow old, as we who are left have grown old’. For they gave their youth, their hopes, their dreams, their joie de vivre . . . so that we might be free.

  As I stood in those tranquil cloisters that September evening with the last rays of sunshine dappling the ancient stone walls, sending sunbeams dancing across the lawn, I closed my eyes, and those faces from the past drifted before me. And in the light breeze which lifted my hair and caressed my cheeks I seemed to hear their distant voices whispering:

  When you go home

  Tell them of us and say

  For your tomorrow

  We gave our today.

  Epilogue

  We will remember them . . .

  Roll of Honour of F Section Agents who died in the struggle for the liberation of France

  Agazarian, Hon. Flight Lieutenant J. C. S., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Landed July 1943, on his second mission, as a member of the two-man Gamekeeper team. Captured within a few days.
Killed in captivity at Flossenbürg, 29 March 1945. Mentioned in Despatches; Croix de Guerre avec Palme.

  Alexandre, Lieutenant R. E. J., General List. Dropped February 1944 with Byerly, Deniset and Ledoux (q.v.) to establish and lead the Surveyor réseau. Captured on landing. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August–September 1944.

  Allard, Lieutenant E. A. L., General List. Dropped April 1944 with Leccia and Geelen (q.v.) as a member of the Labourer réseau. Captured within a few days. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 14 September 1944.

  Amphlett, Lieutenant P. J., General List. Dropped August 1943 as a member of the Scullion II coup-de-main party. Captured on the return journey. Killed in captivity at Flossenbürg, 29 March 1945. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Amps, Lieutenant J. F., General List. Dropped October 1942 with Suttill (q.v.) as a member of the Physician réseau. Captured mid-1943. Killed in captivity at Flossenbürg, 29 March 1945.

  Antelme, Major J. A. F., General List. Dropped February 1944, on his third mission, with Damerment and Lee (q.v.) to establish and lead the Bricklayer réseau. Captured on landing. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August-September 1944. Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division); Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.

  Barrett, Flight Lieutenant D. J., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Dropped March 1944, on his second mission, with Mulsant (q.v.) as a member of the Minister réseau. Captured July 1944. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 5 October 1944. Mentioned in Despatches; Croix de Guerre avec Palme.

  Beauregard, Lieutenant A., Canadian General List. Landed February 1944 as a member of the Lackey réseau. Captured July 1944. Killed in captivity at Montluc, Lyon (Rhône), 20 August 1944. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Bee, Lieutenant F. E., General List. Dropped May 1944 as a member of the Headmaster réseau. Killed in action near Chemiré-en-Charnie (Sartha), 16 June 1944. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Beekman, Hon. Section Officer Y. E. M., Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Landed September 1943 as a member of the Musician réseau. Captured January 1944. Killed in captivity at Dachau, 13 September 1944. Mentioned in Despatches; Croix de Guerre avec Etoile de Vermeil.

  Benoist, Captain R. M. C, General List. Landed March 1944, on his second mission, with D. M. Bloch (q.v.) to establish and lead the Clergyman réseau. Captured July 1944. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 14 September 1944. Mentioned in Despatches; Médaille de la Résistance Française (Rosette).

  Bertheau, Lieutenant L. E. D., General List. Locally recruited and commissioned as a member of the Author réseau. Captured April 1944. Died at Sandbostel, Germany, of treatment received in captivity, 7-15 May 1945. Mentioned in Despatches; Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur; Médaille de la Résistance Française.

  Bieler, Major G. D. A., Régiment de Maisonneuve, Canadian Infantry Corps. Dropped November 1942 to establish and lead the Musician réseau. Captured January 1944. Killed in captivity at Flossenbürg, 5 September 1944. Companion of the Distinguished Service Order; Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division); Croix de Guerre avec Palme.

  Bloch, Lieutenant A. G., General List (served as A. G. Boyd). Dropped September 1941 as a member of the Autogiro réseau. Captured November 1941. Killed in captivity at Mont Valérien (Hauts de Seine), 11 February 1942. Mentioned in Despatches; Médaille de la Résistance Française.

  Bloch, Ensign D. M., First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. Landed March 1944 with Benoist (q.v.) as a member of the Clergyman réseau. Captured June 1944. Killed in captivity at Ravensbrück, 25 January-5 February 1945. King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct; Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur; Médaille de la Résistance Française (Rosette).

  Bloom, Lieutenant M. R., General List. Landed from the sea November 1942 as a member of the Prunus réseau. Captured April 1943. Killed in captivity at Mauthausen, 6 September 1944. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Borrel, Lieutenant A. R., First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. Dropped September 1942 as a member of the Physician réseau. Captured June 1943. Killed in captivity at Natzweiler, 6 July 1944. King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct; Croix de Guerre avec Palme; Médaille de la Résistance Française (Rosette).

  Bouguennec, Lieutenant J., General List (served as F. Garel). Dropped March 1943 to establish and lead the Butler réseau. Captured September 1943. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 14 September 1944. Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division).

  Byck, Hon. Assistant Section Officer M. T., Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Dropped April 1944 with Makowski (q.v.) as a member of the Ventriloquist réseau. Died on active service near Romorantin (Loir-et-Cher), 23 May 1944. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Byerly, Lieutenant R. B., Canadian General List. Dropped February 1944 with Alexandre, Deniset and Ledoux (q.v.) as a member of the Surveyor réseau. Captured on landing. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August–September 1944.

  Cauchi, Captain E. J. D., General List. Dropped August 1943 as a member of the Stockbroker réseau. Killed in action at Sochaux (Doubs), 5 February 1944. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Clech, Lieutenant M. Central List. Landed May 1943, on his second mission, as a member of the Inventor réseau. Captured September 1943. Killed in captivity at Mauthausen, 24 March 1944. Médaille de la Résistance Française.

  Clement, Lieutenant G., Royal Armoured Corps. Dropped July 1943 with Gaillot (q.v.) as a member of the Parson réseau. Captured November 1943. Killed in captivity at Mauthausen, 6 September 1944. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Coppin, Lieutenant T. C., General List. Landed from the sea May 1942 to establish and lead the Bay sabotage group. Captured April 1943. Killed in captivity, 27 September 1943. Mentioned in Despatches; Croix de Guerre avec Etoile de Vermeil.

  Damerment, Ensign M. Z., First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. Dropped February 1944 with Antelme and Lee (q.v.) as a member of the Bricklayer réseau. Captured on landing. Killed in captivity at Dachau, 13 September 1944. King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct; Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.

  Defence, Captain M. E., General List. Dropped March 1944, on his second mission, with O. A. G. Simon (q.v.), as a member of the Satirist réseau. Captured on landing. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August–September 1944. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Defendini, Lieutenant A., General List. Landed from the sea February 1944 to establish and lead the Priest réseau. Captured soon after arrival. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 14 September 1944. Mentioned in Despatches; Médaille de la Résistance Française.

  Demand, Lieutenant G. W. H., General List. Dropped August 1941, on his second mission, as a member of the Scullion II coup-de-main party. Captured on the return journey. Killed in captivity at Flossenbürg, 29 March 1944. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Deniset, Captain F. A., Royal Canadian Artillery. Dropped February 1944 with Alexandre, Byerly and Ledoux (q.v.) as a member of the Phono réseau. Captured on landing. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August-September 1944.

  Detal, Lieutenant J. T. J. M., General List. Dropped February 1944 with Duclos (q.v.) to establish and lead the Delegate réseau. Captured on landing. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 14 September 1944.

  Dowlen, Lieutenant R., General List. Landed March 1943 as a member of the Chestnut réseau. Captured August 1943. Killed in captivity at Flossenbürg, 29 March 1945. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Dubois, J. R. A. Landed April 1943 as a member of the Donkeyman réseau. Captured November 1943. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August-September 1944.

  Duboudin, Captain E. G. J., General List. Landed March 1943, on his second mission, to establish and lead the Playwright réseau. Captured soon after arrival. Died as a result of treatment received in captivity at Ellrich-Dora, 22 March 1945.

  Duclos, Lieutenant P. F, General List. Dropped February 1944 with Detal (q.v.) as a member of the Delegate réseau. Captured on landing. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August-September 1944.

  Finlayson, Lieutenant D. H., General
List. Dropped March 1944 with Lepage and Lesout (q.v.) as a member of the Liontamer réseau. Captured on landing. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August–September 1944.

  Fox, Lieutenant M. G. F., General List. Dropped March 1943 to establish and lead the Publican réseau. Captured September 1943. Killed in captivity at Flossenbürg, 29 March 1945. Mentioned in Despatches; Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.

  Frager, Major H. J. P., General List. Dropped February 1944, on his third mission, as leader of the Donkeyman réseau. Captured August 1944. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 12 October 1944. Mentioned in Despatches; Médaille de la Résistance Française (Rosette).

  Gaillot, Lieutenant H. H., General List. Dropped July 1943 with Clement (q.v.) as a member of the Parson réseau. Captured with Vallée (q. v.) February 1944. Believed killed in captivity at Gross Rosen, August–September 1944. Mentioned in Despatches; Médaille de la Résistance Française.

  Garry, Lieutenant E. A. H., General List. Locally recruited and commissioned to establish and lead the Cinema/Phono réseau. Captured August 1943. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 14 September 1944. Mentioned in Despatches; Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur; Médaille de la Résistance Française.

  Geelen, Lieutenant P. A. H., General List. Dropped April 1944 with Allard and Leccia (q. v.) as a member of the Labourer réseau. Captured within a few days. Killed in captivity at Buchenwald, 14 September 1944.

  Graham, Sergeant H. H., Royal Artillery. Dropped August 1943 as a member of the Scullion II coup-de-main party. Captured on the return journey. Killed in captivity at Flossenbürg, 29 March 1945. Mentioned in Despatches.

  Grover-Williams, Captain W. C. F., General List. Dropped May 1942 to establish and lead the Chestnut réseau. Captured August 1943. Killed in captivity at Sachsenhausen, 18 March 1945. Mentioned in Despatches; Croix de Guerre avec Palme.