The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 49 No.4 | March 2023

Local Group Programmes

Warfare, the Propaganda Section, MI6, Espionage, Intelligence, and others. Its purpose was to disrupt and to encourage European countries to rise up. It recruited military personnel, police, as well as exiles from European countries. Colin Gubbins, with his Intelligence Company background, became the head of training with its mission to “set Europe ablaze”. He oversaw training from scratch, setting up several houses at Beaulieu and around the country, that taught every skill required. Silent killing, map and compass, rope, boat skills, espionage, the courage and confidence to face a fight without apprehension, commando training, intelligence, undercover evasion, bombs and explosives as well as radio, cryptography, morse, and communication skills. None of the houses knew of each other as it was the trainers who moved around – not the trainees. Nick told us about some of the staff who worked for SOE including the spy Philby. We also had an insight into the espionage careers of several members of staff and the agents, their missions, and fateful ends. The SOE was wound up after the war and a fire damaged many operational documents. It is now recognised that the SOE was the forerunner to the SAS today. Our HGS group asked several questions including how to go about researching ancestors who may have served in the SOE. The NA at Kew has some original records, including training records that can be searched. This was a very interesting talk that we all enjoyed. Forthcoming Meetings:

Members’ Evening

March 8th April 12th

Condoms, Sponges and Syringes Bob Forder – The 19th Century, Radical Pioneers of Family Planning

Life as a Dockyard Matey

May 10th June 14th July 12th

Rob Clark

Members’ Evening

Mishaps of a church organist 1947-2005

Ruth Warren

New Milton & Christchurch

Group currently suspended

Meetings are normally held in the Library of St. Mark’s Church, Highcliffe, on the second Friday of each month at 7.30 p.m. The church is about 100 yards off Lymington Road on Hinton Wood Avenue, the turning opposite The Oaks.

Currently not meeting, please check our website for any update.

Portsmouth

Group currently suspended

Meetings are normally held on the first Monday of ]each month (except January and August Bank Holidays) at 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. in the Baptist Church Hall, Havant Road, Cosham. Currently not meeting, please check our website for any update.

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