My Life in Churchill's School for Spies: The Secret Ministry of Ag. & Fish - Softcover

Riols, Noreen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1447237021 ISBN 13: 9781447237020

Publisher: Pan Books, 2015

Synopsis

A vivid, enthralling memoir from one of the only surviving members of "Churchill's Secret Army"

"My mother thought I was working for the Ministry of Ag. and Fish." So begins Noreen Riols’ compelling memoir of her time as a member of Churchill’s "secret army," the Special Operations Executive. It was 1943, just before her 18th birthday, Noreen received her call-up papers, and was faced with either working in a munitions factory or joining the Wrens. A fashion-conscious young woman, even in wartime, Noreen opted for the Wrens—they had better hats. But when one of her interviewers realized she spoke fluent French, she was directed to a government building on Baker Street. It was SOE headquarters, where she was immediately recruited into F-Section, led by Colonel Maurice Buckmaster. From then until the end of the war, Noreen worked with Buckmaster and her fellow operatives to support the French Resistance fighting for the Allied cause. Sworn to secrecy, Noreen told no one that she spent her days meeting agents returning from behind enemy lines, acting as a decoy, passing on messages in tea rooms, and picking up codes in crossword puzzles. Vivid, witty, insightful, and often moving, this is the story of one young woman’s secret war, offering readers an authentic and compelling insight into what really went on in Churchill’s "secret army" from one of its last surviving members.

About this title

About the Author:

Noreen Riols joined the BBC after the war. She is the author of 10 books. Paddy Ashdown was the High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina for nearly four years, an office that was created in 1995 to oversee the civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. He is the author of several books, including The Ashdown Diaries.

Review:

"Told with wit, charm and enthusiasm, it's a compelling read."  —Choice

"Riols' personality shines through this perceptive, readable account of those on missions where there was never a better than 50:50 chance of survival."  —Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Pan Books
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1447237021
• ISBN 13: 9781447237020
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320