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A House For Spies: SIS Operations into Occupied France from a Sussex Farmhouse
An unforgettable history of French intelligence agents and courageous British pilots who risked everything in the fight against Hitler! Perfect for fans of Ben Macintyre, Giles Milton and Sinclair McKay.
From 1941 to 1944, Bignor Manor, a farmhouse in Sussex provided board and lodging for men and women of the French Resistance before they were flown by moonlight into occupied France.
Barbara Bertram, whose husband was a conducting officer for the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), became hostess for these daring agents and their pilots during their brief stopovers in their house.
But who were these men and women that passed through the Bertram’s house?
And what activities did they conduct whilst in France that meant that so many of them never returned?
Edward Wake-Walker charts the experiences of numerous agents, such as Gilbert Renault, Christian Pineau and Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, and the networks of operatives that they created that provided top-secret intelligence on German defences and naval bases, U-boats, as well as Hitler’s devastating new weapons, the V-1 and V-2 flying bombs.
A House For Spies provides fascinating insight into the lives of SIS agents and their Lysander pilots who provided invaluable intelligence to Allied forces. This is a much-forgotten aspect of the Second World War that is only now being told by Edward Wake-Walker.
“Utterly fascinating, very moving and funny. I couldn't have enjoyed it more.” — Hugh Grant
“Edward Wake-Walker's meticulously researched chronicles of desperate resistance, audacity, duty, determination and daring are a valuable addition to the history of World War II” — Bel Mooney, Daily Mail
“It kept me up at night as I wanted to know what happened to all the various characters [brought] so admirably back to life” — Russell England, Director of Bletchley Park: Codebreaking's Forgotten Genius and Operation Mincemeat
From 1941 to 1944, Bignor Manor, a farmhouse in Sussex provided board and lodging for men and women of the French Resistance before they were flown by moonlight into occupied France.
Barbara Bertram, whose husband was a conducting officer for the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), became hostess for these daring agents and their pilots during their brief stopovers in their house.
But who were these men and women that passed through the Bertram’s house?
And what activities did they conduct whilst in France that meant that so many of them never returned?
Edward Wake-Walker charts the experiences of numerous agents, such as Gilbert Renault, Christian Pineau and Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, and the networks of operatives that they created that provided top-secret intelligence on German defences and naval bases, U-boats, as well as Hitler’s devastating new weapons, the V-1 and V-2 flying bombs.
A House For Spies provides fascinating insight into the lives of SIS agents and their Lysander pilots who provided invaluable intelligence to Allied forces. This is a much-forgotten aspect of the Second World War that is only now being told by Edward Wake-Walker.
“Utterly fascinating, very moving and funny. I couldn't have enjoyed it more.” — Hugh Grant
“Edward Wake-Walker's meticulously researched chronicles of desperate resistance, audacity, duty, determination and daring are a valuable addition to the history of World War II” — Bel Mooney, Daily Mail
“It kept me up at night as I wanted to know what happened to all the various characters [brought] so admirably back to life” — Russell England, Director of Bletchley Park: Codebreaking's Forgotten Genius and Operation Mincemeat
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2011
715 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Edward Wake-Walker
8 books4 followersEdward Wake-Walker worked for 28 years with the RNLI, the final 16 as public relations director. His other books on the RNLI and its history are Gold Medal Rescues (1992), Lost Photographs of the RNLI (2004) and The Lifeboats Story (2007), and he is an honorary adviser to the RNLI Heritage Trust. He lives in Dorset.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 26, 2022
"I couldn't have enjoyed it more.” — Hugh Grant.
Having watched, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', I said that about Hugh Grant. I had a sweet eye for the boy, I was young, a girl is allowed.
Also, Mary, John and Poppy have read it: they liked it and I trust their views. Polly's my new friend and she is lovely.
Sorry, I'm apt more and more on here to get carried away with my blathering.
The chapters within switch from stories about the SOE operators that used Bignor Manor, a farmhouse in Sussex that provides board and lodging on their way in or out of France, to chapters about the woman and her family who keep the house.
For me, the book is more about the housekeeper and her housekeeping activities.
My gandmá says, often enough, "They don't set out to do their job as best as they can any longer. In my day ....." (you can guess the rest).
This lady, of the the manor, is a marvel and deserves a medal for ingenuity, hard work and selfless dedication.
Throughout, the story carries with it a sad and sobering thought for the lives lost by these incredibly brave 'spies'. It is, however, a joy to read and I am so glad I took the time.
Having watched, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', I said that about Hugh Grant. I had a sweet eye for the boy, I was young, a girl is allowed.
Also, Mary, John and Poppy have read it: they liked it and I trust their views. Polly's my new friend and she is lovely.
Sorry, I'm apt more and more on here to get carried away with my blathering.
The chapters within switch from stories about the SOE operators that used Bignor Manor, a farmhouse in Sussex that provides board and lodging on their way in or out of France, to chapters about the woman and her family who keep the house.
For me, the book is more about the housekeeper and her housekeeping activities.
My gandmá says, often enough, "They don't set out to do their job as best as they can any longer. In my day ....." (you can guess the rest).
This lady, of the the manor, is a marvel and deserves a medal for ingenuity, hard work and selfless dedication.
Throughout, the story carries with it a sad and sobering thought for the lives lost by these incredibly brave 'spies'. It is, however, a joy to read and I am so glad I took the time.
November 22, 2023
A most heart-warming story told of those living in desperate times.
It gladdens me know of those who did what they could, in the best way they knew how, with dedication and honesty when all around them was on a precipice.
Rightfully the hostess of this out-of-the-way, rural farmhouse was bestowed with the highest of honour post the war.
A terrific read.
It gladdens me know of those who did what they could, in the best way they knew how, with dedication and honesty when all around them was on a precipice.
Rightfully the hostess of this out-of-the-way, rural farmhouse was bestowed with the highest of honour post the war.
A terrific read.
December 26, 2024
I enjoyed this. So much went in the shadows to help win the war. This is a human story and well worth reading.
July 11, 2022
I was mostly skimming A HOUSE FOR SPIES by the time I gave up. I just found that the book wasn't actually about what it purported to be about. Theme incognito? In the 100 pages I (mostly) read, only about 20 of them were about the house and its truly fascinating owner, Barbara. The rest were about planes, pilots, spies, and the minutiae of war, none of which interests me at all. Also, Wake-Walker doesn't seem to have a discerning instinct for what details to leave out. There is just a lot here.
Giving this book 2.5 stars because I think it is mismarketed and unfortunately organized. Rounding up because it is richly sourced and good research is valuable no matter where it shows up.
Rating 2.5 stars rounded up
First reading, DNF 100 pgs, Closed July 2022
Recommended for fans of WW2 history, war memoirs, military aviation history, readers who LOVE details
Giving this book 2.5 stars because I think it is mismarketed and unfortunately organized. Rounding up because it is richly sourced and good research is valuable no matter where it shows up.
Rating 2.5 stars rounded up
First reading, DNF 100 pgs, Closed July 2022
Recommended for fans of WW2 history, war memoirs, military aviation history, readers who LOVE details
April 20, 2023
A charming tale of a charming lady, able and willing to ‘do her bit’.
I took a real sense of of time from this.
The world was in upheaval and the bravest of people stepped up, and in the face of all the strife folk kept a balance and knuckled down.
I’m sure there were hundreds upon hundreds of Barbara Bertram’s during those days: their stories untold.
This is a first-class read.
I took a real sense of of time from this.
The world was in upheaval and the bravest of people stepped up, and in the face of all the strife folk kept a balance and knuckled down.
I’m sure there were hundreds upon hundreds of Barbara Bertram’s during those days: their stories untold.
This is a first-class read.
June 22, 2022
A House that Never Slept:
I felt as if I was reading a fantasy. Peter Pan. Little Red Riding Hood. Follow The Yellow Brick Road.
To think that all those secret goings-on happened in a small cottage and few knew of its existence. They all worked so hard with so little and just got through it.
I can't remember when or where or about who, but I know that someone said that, about the war, to me or just said it when I was there. "We never gave up, never thought of quitting, we worked every hour that God gave and we got through it."
A book about difficult and sometimes sad times, but it is such a pleasure to read. I can't say with any knowledge if it is good or bad writing, it is just good to read.
I know you can't go back in time, but on countless occasions I held the book against me and thought, 'I wish, I could be there."
I'm inspired by it.
I felt as if I was reading a fantasy. Peter Pan. Little Red Riding Hood. Follow The Yellow Brick Road.
To think that all those secret goings-on happened in a small cottage and few knew of its existence. They all worked so hard with so little and just got through it.
I can't remember when or where or about who, but I know that someone said that, about the war, to me or just said it when I was there. "We never gave up, never thought of quitting, we worked every hour that God gave and we got through it."
A book about difficult and sometimes sad times, but it is such a pleasure to read. I can't say with any knowledge if it is good or bad writing, it is just good to read.
I know you can't go back in time, but on countless occasions I held the book against me and thought, 'I wish, I could be there."
I'm inspired by it.
May 29, 2020
2020 BK 177: The blurb I read made it sound as if it was the diary or a well written book about the life of one woman who ran a house that served as the launching place for espionage missions and then the reception center for those returning from France. Well, maybe 1/4 of the book was that. This book is about the SIS missions into France - and that is the main focus with only bits and pieces about the Sussex Farmhouse and the woman who cared for the spies. Otherwise - it did focus on one aspect of the espionage and didn't try to do every group. It did tell the story through to what happened after WWII. It just wasn't what I wanted.
June 25, 2022
Boy, ohh boy, what fun to read.
- Make do and mend,
- Always look on the bright side,
- It could be worse, it could be raining,
- Keep calm and carry on.
I could go on and on, this is a testament to how it is possible to brave it out and not let the situation, regardless of how dire it is, beat you down.
Both mentally tough and physically tough; maybe that came with Barbara Bertram's unusual, to and fro, upbringing - but certainly it is a lesson for us all.
- Make do and mend,
- Always look on the bright side,
- It could be worse, it could be raining,
- Keep calm and carry on.
I could go on and on, this is a testament to how it is possible to brave it out and not let the situation, regardless of how dire it is, beat you down.
Both mentally tough and physically tough; maybe that came with Barbara Bertram's unusual, to and fro, upbringing - but certainly it is a lesson for us all.
April 29, 2023
A house that is one part of the story that details the serious matter of ferrying SOE and other clandestine operatives into France. And a welcoming abode for those who did manage to survive their stay in occupied Europe.
Told with candour and a testament to those able to maintain a human side when faced with such dire circumstance.
This is a tremendous read.
Told with candour and a testament to those able to maintain a human side when faced with such dire circumstance.
This is a tremendous read.
September 19, 2023
Find a cottage, sit by the fire and read this.
A world so different from that we know today.
A remarkable lady, doing her bit (the best she could) for a whole entourage of remarkable people.
I imagine she put her head on the pillow a fell asleep in an instant.
A world so different from that we know today.
A remarkable lady, doing her bit (the best she could) for a whole entourage of remarkable people.
I imagine she put her head on the pillow a fell asleep in an instant.
July 9, 2021
I’m inspired by all: the spies, the pilots and the lady of the house. It is a difficult book to put down, but when I did, I sat for ages thinking of the time, the people and their undeterred courage.
Barbara Bertram, the lady of the house, must have had such an inner strength. First, the long hours and perseverance to keep the house running; a tight budget and no real idea at any time of who, when, and how many may be in need of a roof over their head
But second, to know that those you cater for are involved in a most dangerous pursuit and her house might be the last shred of comfort her guests might ever enjoy.
I found the stories of her guests gripping, but as much I found a deep sense of respect for Barbara Bertram.
Barbara Bertram, the lady of the house, must have had such an inner strength. First, the long hours and perseverance to keep the house running; a tight budget and no real idea at any time of who, when, and how many may be in need of a roof over their head
But second, to know that those you cater for are involved in a most dangerous pursuit and her house might be the last shred of comfort her guests might ever enjoy.
I found the stories of her guests gripping, but as much I found a deep sense of respect for Barbara Bertram.
September 4, 2025
How interesting: I enjoyed the story of managing the house and keeping a hundred balls in the air whilst trying to control finances, the secret life and younger occupants more than that of her guests and their exploits.
April 15, 2025
A great, interesting and enjoyable story. I think more time could have been spent on the hostess of the house rather than her guests, but heh, it's still worth reading.
March 7, 2021
An engrossing tale. The heart of the story, for me, is Barbara Bertram. Her early years and how it was she came to be the ‘Hostess of Bignor Manor’, I found the remarkable. They, say, I’m not that convinced, that some people are born to fulfil a specific role. Well, one cannot deny, there would have been others if Barbara Bertram had not been around. Many people, mostly French undercover agents, passed through the manor. Many of whom were awarded honours for their brave and selfless acts. After the liberation of France, the Free French Intelligence Service presented Barbara with a silver cigarette case with the cross of Lorraine inlaid in gold. Such a shame Winston was not able to find a British Empire Medal, or some such award, knocking about in a drawer somewhere: she thoroughly deserved such praise.
There are huge chunks of this book devoted to the lives and acts of those she cared for on their way into France of on the way out. I see that as acceptable; many of these folk she would not know the true names of until after war. All the same, they became part of her life.
The story, for me, shines a light on a good-hearted person and the many others her war years become entwined with.
There are huge chunks of this book devoted to the lives and acts of those she cared for on their way into France of on the way out. I see that as acceptable; many of these folk she would not know the true names of until after war. All the same, they became part of her life.
The story, for me, shines a light on a good-hearted person and the many others her war years become entwined with.
September 2, 2020
A good story with maybe an odd title. We spend just a few chapters at the farmhouse with most of the book being set in France with the agents. While I liked the story and it needed to be told, I wish there was less of sending the reader back and forth in the book to fill in story. I realize changing the point of view can cause that but it I find it takes away from the story on a kindle. It is a minor issue and it may just be my issue. I did enjoy the overall book. There are so many biographies that I would read from the people in this book.
December 4, 2020
One of the most comprehensive books I have ever read of the French espionage during WWII. Complicated reading because of the number of names and relationships to the various agencies involved and a detailed understanding of the geography of France would surely help. This is all about people that did extraordinary things during very dangerous times. It would be nice to know more about what these people did immediately after the war. How did they revert back to being normal life again. Sad how they are all but forgotten today.
January 1, 2022
Courage. It is a misused and overused word in the English language. We describe a racehorse showing courage in winning a classic race or a football team winning a match after being 2 down at half time, but when it comes to courage I regard the members of the French resistance of showing the ultimate of courage in confronting a murderous Nazi occupying enemy that was free in their use of torture and death as their weapons of choice against those who were fighting for the honor and freedom of their country. I assume that among those Germans there were some of reasonable intelligence and surely some of must have thought we have lost this war, as despite what we do to these people they just keep coming, We torture and kill one, and five popup. This is a superb book, which I found hard to stop reading and rewrote the appreciation of the French character for much of the world which had then written-off their country as a bunch of hopelessly divided traitors. Worth reading, if only to redefine what courage really means.
June 18, 2020
I thought it was a very good account of the dangerous work, these very brave men and women were doing, from a Sussex farm house, during the full moon periods taking great risks, flying in Lysander air craft to fields in occupied France, I could almost feel the tension these peaple were under before their mission,especially the radio operators whose life span was six weeks before being either betrayed or caught by detector vans, a very good read,
July 27, 2020
This book will be good read for anyone interested in the resistance movement in France during WW II, especially those efforts originating out of England. This is the story of real people in real situations who find themselves in a position where they can make a difference it the war that threatened western civilized life. The actual historical quality of the book makes it very interesting and educational.
November 24, 2020
Absolutely Fascinating and Bloodcurdling Read..
Fact is always better than fiction and this well researched book is a gem full of the little known stories of a handful of volunteer French secret agents who risked it all in the fight to ride France of the hated German occupiers. So many of them were caught and died horrible deaths at the hands of the Gestapo...Hard to put it down.
Fact is always better than fiction and this well researched book is a gem full of the little known stories of a handful of volunteer French secret agents who risked it all in the fight to ride France of the hated German occupiers. So many of them were caught and died horrible deaths at the hands of the Gestapo...Hard to put it down.
September 30, 2020
Heroic accounts of WW2 espionage
Even though I found the chapters to be over long I simply could not remove a star from the rating. This is because the book is a faultless and fascinating account of all aspects of resistance to the French occupation, giving me a great respect for the heroism of those men and women involved.
Even though I found the chapters to be over long I simply could not remove a star from the rating. This is because the book is a faultless and fascinating account of all aspects of resistance to the French occupation, giving me a great respect for the heroism of those men and women involved.
May 4, 2021
Excellent
This is an excellent book about the French Resistance fighters. Especially those who sent important messages to England. I just which more was told about the place in England where the flights originated and the people who cared for them. I recommend this book to those who enjoy WW2.
This is an excellent book about the French Resistance fighters. Especially those who sent important messages to England. I just which more was told about the place in England where the flights originated and the people who cared for them. I recommend this book to those who enjoy WW2.
July 6, 2021
Interesting book
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a well written account of the activities of British and French to undermine the German occupiers of France in WW2.
The writer’s great aunt ran a vital home from home for agents in Bignor, Sussex.
The best and worst of humanity is portrayed here.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a well written account of the activities of British and French to undermine the German occupiers of France in WW2.
The writer’s great aunt ran a vital home from home for agents in Bignor, Sussex.
The best and worst of humanity is portrayed here.
October 21, 2021
unknown wwii history
An interesting read about the French resistance in WWII. The author goes in great detail about the agents sent to France and the coordination of the French resistance. There are quite a few instances about arrest and escape of captured agents. The brutality of the Germans was terrible.
An interesting read about the French resistance in WWII. The author goes in great detail about the agents sent to France and the coordination of the French resistance. There are quite a few instances about arrest and escape of captured agents. The brutality of the Germans was terrible.
August 1, 2022
This has been a fantastic read for me and a huge learning experience. I did not realise how little I knew about French history during WWII despite having read numerous books about some of its clandestine heroes in the Free French, Maquis and the British SIS and SOE. It really has nothing to do with the story of the house itself.
October 19, 2024
Great!
An insight to a very unique aspect of WWII. Imagine being asked to host arriving and departing spies and operatives, pre- and post-flight, in secret. There were ploys to fool the distant neighbours about what was going on, which are revealed here. Lots of details on the goings on, and what happened to some of those who flew away. A great listen.
An insight to a very unique aspect of WWII. Imagine being asked to host arriving and departing spies and operatives, pre- and post-flight, in secret. There were ploys to fool the distant neighbours about what was going on, which are revealed here. Lots of details on the goings on, and what happened to some of those who flew away. A great listen.
June 12, 2020
Fascinating insights, sad at times.
A really interesting insight into the war in occupied France with heroism, ingenuity and also the darker side of resistance with duplicity and betrayal. Definitely a worthwhile read.
A really interesting insight into the war in occupied France with heroism, ingenuity and also the darker side of resistance with duplicity and betrayal. Definitely a worthwhile read.
November 14, 2020
Having read a fair bit about Vichy France recently, I found this a compelling read. It was a little ‘disjointed’ at times but it did really portray the shear bravery and courage of those who fought against the Nazi Germans, who had invaded their country.
November 20, 2020
SIS OPERATIONS
I gave the author, E. Wake, a good rating because he wrote history regarding the spies during the war in fine detail. The risks the spies took putting their lives as well as their families in jepordy. Nothing was left out for the imagination.
I gave the author, E. Wake, a good rating because he wrote history regarding the spies during the war in fine detail. The risks the spies took putting their lives as well as their families in jepordy. Nothing was left out for the imagination.
February 15, 2021
Amazing heros
Riveting stories of the intelligence and resistance movement in France. Daring instances of infiltration and exfiltration (sneaking agents and supplies in to France and out again ) a largely untold story.
Riveting stories of the intelligence and resistance movement in France. Daring instances of infiltration and exfiltration (sneaking agents and supplies in to France and out again ) a largely untold story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews