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was tortured and executed. Nancy only found this out during a victory
celebration.
From Spain, Nancy made her way back to the UK. Initially she contacted
the Free French in London but was rejected as they refused to put
women into active service. This led to some suspicions from the British
Secret Intelligence Service, so a friend then suggested that she contact
Maurice Buckmaster, the head of ‘F’ (French) Section of the Special
Operations Executive (SOE). This as to prove fruitful and Nancy
was accepted, being given the code name “Hélène” and going to the
selection board in early December 1943. There was an incident noted
in her record that she arrived drunk before her party left for training
and she was withdrawn but she was obviously reinstated, possible
after intervention from her old O’Leary line commander Captain Ian
Garrow. Here she excelled in training and apparently put the men to
shame. She was an excellent shot and performed well in eldcraft.
She is described as:
A woman of good average intelligence and plenty of common sense.
A good mixer with a cheerful and persuasive personality. Attracted
by adventure and excitement and at times appears to lack a proper
sense of seriousness and responsibility. She is, however, essentially
loyal and reliable, and has a marked sense of humour. Persistent and
determined, she has abundant energy. Might be suitable for courier,
and with experience possibly a more responsible post.
2
She was now ready for active service. On the night of 29–30 April
1944, Nancy parachuted into the Auvergne area of central occupied
2 e National Archives HS 9/1545