Boldre Parish Historical Society Newsletter Spring 2015 - Autumn 2015 Page 5
Events Review continued ………. 2 We are sailing, we are sailing ‘cross the sea continued .......… The start of 2009 was spent cruising around the Caribbean, which David and Annette describe as paradise before they reluctantly had to prepare to sail across the ocean once more. In April 2009 they arrived in Bermuda and June 2009 saw them in Dartmouth and sailing onward to the Solent, where they were met by family and many friends. They berthed in the Lymington Marina on 22 June 2009. David and Annette are now living in Pilley. The talk with excellent slides was enjoyed by everyone who could not stop talking about it for days afterwards. A lovely evening. For more information about this incredible adventure go to the web site blog.mailasail.com/nordlys
3 Secret Beaulieu ………. Once again the Boldre War Memorial Hall was full to overflowing, as members listened intently to a fascinating talk given by John Smith entitled “The Special Operations Executive in Beaulieu”. John’s polished presentation was gained from his experience as a broadcaster, compère and public speaker. Following 16 years as a teacher and headmaster he completed almost 20 years with BBC Radio. Neville Chamberlain resigned the premiership on 10 May 1940, eight months after the Second World War commenced. He was succeeded by Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill held the view that the war could not be won if we relied on the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force alone. Therefore, within weeks of entering No. 10, and the fall of France he asked Hugh Dalton to create a special force to “set Europe ablaze” by carrying out acts of sabotage and subversion behind enemy lines. This organisation was called the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Sabotage meant blowing up trains, factories and bridges and subversion the act of guerrilla warfare, of fostering revolt – propaganda in all enemy or enemy occupied countries. Few people were aware of SOE’s existence, even though its headquarters were in the heart of London at 64 Baker Street. From this unassuming building SOE commenced the recruitment of staff and agents. Staff were invariably ex-public school and university graduates whereas agents came from all walks of life including electricians, chefs and journalists. Agents had to have the ability to pass as a native of the country to which they were sent. This meant being able to speak the language, have knowledge of and understand the geography and local environment of the area where they were located. SOE soon found that it was becoming difficult to find agents with all these qualifications. They therefore needed to look further afield and made contact with resistance organisations in the occupied areas, requesting operatives travel to the UK to be trained. After training they were returned to their own country better equipped and financed. As the recruitment process gained momentum properties across the country were being requisitioned to act as training bases. Colonel Colin Gubbins was instrumental in acquiring many large houses and mansions from Scotland to the New Forest and Beaulieu as specialist training schools. Potential agents would have different training depending upon their area of expertise and where they would be operating. For example women wireless and telecommunication operators would be sent to Thame in Oxfordshire. Code breaking was taught at Bletchley Park and propaganda at Woburn Abbey. Also the ability to be able to parachute from a plane was of paramount importance because air transport was the most common means of delivering agents behind enemy lines. The technique of parachuting was taught at Ringway now Manchester Airport. The Westland Lysander and Handley Page Halifax were regularly used to transport agents and stores. However, before finally qualifying as an agent they all had to attend the Beaulieu Finishing School. The Beaulieu (Montagu) Estate was chosen as the Finishing School because of the secluded nature of the New Forest and the fact that there were many large houses in the area. Eleven such houses were requisitioned and used as training centres. The Rings, now demolished, was used as the headquarters of the school and here on the ground floor Lt. Col Stanley Woolrych, the Commanding Officer had his office along with Dorothy Wickins, his personal assistant. There were three secretaries who undertook all the administrative duties and typed the instructor’s lecture notes. The instructors had offices on the first floor, where they prepared their lectures. Because of the variety of skills an agent had to acquire, which could include arson, assassination, blackmail, breaking and entering, burglary, coding, disguises, forgery, invisible writing, key
The Rings
making, safe breaking and silent killing as well as being able to live off the land, the instructors had to have experience and knowledge of similar talents. Many of the instructors are now household names. For example the couturier Hardy Amies taught agents how to change their appearance and the double agent Kim Philby taught the art of clandestine propaganda.