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 […]
Tangential Research Lead on R.W.G. Stephens via T.A. Robertson Read More »
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
The Story of Cyril Egerton Dixon – Steel Manufacturer, MI5 Officer and Civil Servant Read More »
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
John Cudworth Whitebrook – An Admirable Defence Counsel Read More »
While researching my book on Josef Jakobs, I necessarily delved into the files of the other LENA spies who were charged under the Treachery Act of 1940. The vast majority of spies who were brought to trial were convicted and executed by hanging. As I read the files, I became intrigued by the tactics used
Werner Walti – Facing Death without Defence Counsel Read More »
Most readers of this blog will know that Jack Mossop and family were dragged into the Bella in the Wych Elm mystery by Jack’s former wife, Una (nee Abel) Hainsworth a.k.a. Anna of Claverley. The West Mercia police files on the Bella case have a folder on Jack and Una’s son, Julian M.A. Mossop who,
An Older and Wiser Julian Mossop Read More »
Cripps Auction A few years ago, I wrote a blog post about the military members of the court martial panel who tried German spy Josef Jakobs in early August 1941. One of the members was Lieutenant Colonel H.H. Cripps, D.S.O. A few weeks ago, I received an email from David M. who had learned that
Odds and Sods – Cripps, Sachsenhausen, Media Read More »
A few months ago, I received an email from Richard S. who said that, in 1941, his grandfather had given German spy Josef Jakobs his “last ride of freedom” on his milk float from Dove House Farm to the Ramsey Police Station. I suspected that Richard might be the grandson of Harry Godfrey as I
The Dairy Farmer and the German Spy Read More »
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
Who was German spy Karel Richter’s Fiancée in New York Read More »
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
Charles G.L. DuCann: The Barrister who Defended a Doomed German Spy Read More »
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
The two Ramsey Home Guard Officers who apprehended German spy Josef Jakobs Read More »