Description
Object description
British civilian secretary served with MI5 in GB; secretary served with at Special Operations Executive Headquarters in London, 1942- 1943; personal assistant to Fitzroy Maclean in Cairo, 1943-1944
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB and Switzerland, 1922-1942: family including father's service during First World War; education in Switzerland and GB; outbreak of war; setting up house for blackout; attitude toward war; air raids; moves following father in RAF; application to join sister at MI5; accommodation in Oxford; journey to work; description of office and work including problems from dyslexia; parts of house used by MI5; opinion of work; leisure activities in Oxford; details of accommodation at Keble College; washing facilities; problems caused by electric fire; health problems. REEL 2 Continues: details of work; canteen; flower stall; security on entrance; accommodation taken in Oxford; work in London packing parcels for POWs; sister in Cairo; memories of Stirling family; work with Bill Stirling in Glasgow; joining of Special Operations Executive. Aspects of period as civilian secretary with Special Operations Executive Headquarters in GB, 1942-1943: description of 64 Baker Street including operations room and accommodation; memories of Bill Simpson; background of staff; memories of Vic Lockhart; further details of 64 Baker Street; memories of Maurice Buckmaster including visits to concentration camp commemorations in 1970s. REEL 3 Continues: life in London including details of pay; time off and leisure activities; air raids; loss of touch with friends; contact with Polish Airmen; awareness of Special Operations Executive with organisation and among taxi drivers; period in section dealing with Far East including memories of John Keswick; secrecy including selection of employees by head of MI5; background to being transferred to Cairo; journey via Lisbon to Cairo. Aspects of period as civilian personal assistant to Fitzroy Maclean in Egypt, 1943-1944: arrival including destruction of cover; short period as cipherine; posting with Fitzroy Maclean; story of night out before hospitalisation with jaundice; details of meeting in Alexandria with General Tito's delegation; leisure activities; accommodation; working day including activities during siesta; memories of Fitzroy Maclean.
