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Tangential Research Lead on R.W.G. Stephens via T.A. Robertson

For a while now, I’ve been thinking that I should (a) write a review of Gentleman Spymaster, Geoffrey Elliott’s book about T.A. Robertson and (b) reach out to Mr. Elliott to see if he has contact info for Robertson’s daughter, in the hope that she might have some snippet of information from her father’s files […]

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The Story of Cyril Egerton Dixon – Steel Manufacturer, MI5 Officer and Civil Servant

Several years ago, I wrote a blog post about Cyril Egerton Dixon, the Regional Security Liaison Officer for Cambridge during the Second World War. Cyril, or Cecil in some records, was also known as Dick or Dickie, possibly a play off of his surname. He was most definitely not a Richard, as several documents with

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John Cudworth Whitebrook – An Admirable Defence Counsel

In last week’s blog post, I delved into the legal arguments used by Werner Walti’s defence counsel, John Cudworth Whitebrook, after the civil trial. I admit to being impressed with Whitebrook’s attempts and wanted to know more about this man who came up with such creative arguments. He didn’t lead an ordinary life… that’s for

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Who was German spy Karel Richter’s Fiancée in New York

German spy Karel Richter landed near London Colney via parachute in May 1941. He was quickly apprehended by the local police and sent to MI5’s secret interrogation centre, Latchmere House (a.k.a. Camp 020 or simply Ham). During his many interrogations at Latchmere House, Richter stated that he was trying to get back to America where

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Charles G.L. DuCann: The Barrister who Defended a Doomed German Spy

Introduction While researching the story of my grandfather, Josef Jakobs, I have dipped into the stories of many of the other German spies who were executed by the British during the Second World War. I have always been impressed by Karel Richard Richter’s defence lawyer, C.G.L. DuCann. He had only a few hours to familiarize

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The two Ramsey Home Guard Officers who apprehended German spy Josef Jakobs

Several years ago, I wrote a blog post about two officers from the Ramsey Home Guard, Captain William Henry Newton and Lieutenant John Curedale. Both officers were called upon to apprehend German spy Josef Jakobs who had landed by parachute on the evening on 31 January 1941. Lying in a potato field all night, just

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