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On the 21st September 1944, Pearl was ordered to return to London,
her mission completed. She returned with an complete breakdown
of her expenditure in the eld: amounting to several million francs.
The records, which remain today in the National Archives detail
every franc spent, including haircuts, cigarettes and clothing. The
frequent communication between Pearl and Vera Atkins (who
managed communications between Pearl and her mother) is also
preserved in her SOE le. Communications seem to have been
frequent and there are numerous letters in her le (one of the most
comprehensive in the archives) including passing on money from
Pearl for her niece’s birthday. A letter from Mrs Witherington asking
for information in July 1944 received a very British response from
Vera Atkins – bearing in mind the date is 4th July 1944 – “I am
sorry it has been slightly delayed, but we have been rather busy
during these past weeks”
4
Pearl was promoted in October 1944 to the rank of ight ofcer
with personal from Wing Commander Redding. In that same
month, Pearl married her long-time love and comrade in arms
Henri Cornioley at Kensington Registry Ofce. F Section gave them
a wedding present of £7.10s, and at the same time Buckmaster
himself gave Pearl a reference stating he “should be pleased to
vouch for her integrity and thorough reliability at any time”
5
Returning to civilian life came with its own challenges – Pearl had
been away for so long she needed extra coupons to buy civilian
clothing. She was not the only agent in this position – a note in her
le shows Sonya Butt returned at the same time and both were
granted 80 coupons to help them build up an appropriate wardrobe.
Pearl’s mother wrote to Major Mackenzie to try and obtain their
4 TNA HS/9/356 letter from Vera Atkins ref. VA/FR/6910, page 65 in le.
5 TNA HS/9/356 letter dated 21st October 1944.