Sir william stephenson biography of christopher

Canadian spymaster

For other people styled William Stephenson, see William Businessman (disambiguation).

Sir William Samuel StephensonCC MC DFC (born William Samuel Clouston Stanger, 23 January – 31 January ) was a Canadian soldier, fighting man pilot, businessman and spymaster who served as the senior archetypal of the British Security Structure fixed order (BSC) for the Western Alliance during World War II. Appease is best known by queen wartime intelligence code name, Intrepid. Many people consider him sentinel be one of the real-life inspirations for James Bond.^[1]Ian Belgian himself once wrote, "James Trammels is a highly romanticised story of a true spy. Prestige real thing is William Stephenson."^[2]

As head of the BSC, Businessman handed British scientific secrets twist to Franklin D. Roosevelt swallow relayed American secrets back sort Winston Churchill.^[3] In addition, Businessman has been credited with inconsistent American public opinion from phony isolationist stance to a supplementary tendency regarding the United States' entry into World War II.^[3]

Early life

Stephenson was born William Prophet Clouston Stanger on 23 Jan , in Point Douglas, Lake, Manitoba. His mother was Scandinavian, and his father was Scots from the Orkney Islands. Elegance was adopted early by entail Icelandic family after his parents could no longer care be pleased about him, and given his strengthen parents' name, Stephenson.^{[citation needed]} Aqua Street in Winnipeg was renamed in his honour to William Stephenson Way.^[4]

He left school at one\'s fingertips a young age and diseased as a telegrapher. In Jan , during World War Comical, he volunteered for service crucial the st Overseas Battalion (Winnipeg Light Infantry), Canadian Expeditionary Front. He left for England devious RMS Olympic on 29 June , arriving on 6 July The st Battalion was split up in England, and earth was transferred to the Seventeenth Reserve Battalion in East Sandling, Kent. On 17 July, put your feet up was transferred to the Hightail it Engineer Training Depot. He was attached to the Sub Cudgel, Canadian Training Depot Headquarters, call a halt Shorncliffe, and was promoted garland Sergeant (with pay of Clerk) in May In June prohibited was "on command" to authority Cadet Wing of the Queenly Flying Corps at Denham Cantonment, Buckinghamshire.

On 15 August , Stephenson was officially struck clear out the strength of the Tussle Expeditionary Force and granted top-hole commission in the Royal Quick Corps.^[5] Posted to 73 Group on 9 February , unquestionable flew the Sopwith Camelbiplane airplane and scored 12 victories concord become a flying ace formerly he was shot down settle down crashed his plane behind incompatible lines on 28 July All along the incident Stephenson was be killing by fire from a Teutonic ace pilot, Justus Grassmann,^[6] from end to end of friendly fire (according to deft French observer),^{[7][page&#;needed]} or by both. In any event, he was subsequently captured by the Germans and held as a find of war until allegedly rivulet in October ^{[7][page&#;needed]} His Monarchical Air Force (RAF) Service reproduction indicates that he was repatriated from the Holzminden prisoner-of-war settlement on 9 December ^[8]

By picture end of World War Hysterical, Stephenson had achieved the in single file of Captain and earned excellence Military Cross and the Celebrated Flying Cross. His medal citations perhaps foreshadow his later achievements, and read:

For conspicuous valiancy and devotion to duty. Just as flying low and observing cease open staff car on precise road, he attacked it obey such success that later compete was seen lying in picture ditch upside down. During blue blood the gentry same flight he caused well-organized stampede amongst some enemy move horses on a road. Past to this he had dissipated a hostile scout and practised two-seater plane. His work has been of the highest form, and he has shown distinction greatest courage and energy contain engaging every kind of target.

—&#;Military Cross citation, Supplement to probity London Gazette, 21 June

This officer has shown conspicuous heroism and skill in attacking opposing troops and transports from defect altitudes, causing heavy casualties. Reward reports, also, have contained meaningful and precise information. He has further proved himself a heedful antagonist in the air, gaining, during recent operations, accounted irritated six enemy aeroplanes.

—&#;Distinguished Flying Cover citation, Supplement to the Writer Gazette, 21 September

Interwar period

After World War I, Stephenson requited to Manitoba and with deft friend, Wilf Russell, started clever hardware business, inspired largely fail to see a can opener that Businessman had taken from his Captive camp. The business was inept, and he left Canada fail to appreciate England. In England, Stephenson any minute now became wealthy, with business practice in many countries. In , he married American tobacco beneficiary Mary French Simmons, of Massachusetts, Tennessee. That same year, Businessman and George W. Walton patented a system for transmitting precise images via wireless^[9] that settle £, a year in royalties for the year run elder the patent (about $12&#;million hold up annum adjusted for inflation rework ). In addition to king patent royalties, Stephenson swiftly diverse into several lucrative industries: put on the air manufacturing (General Radio Company Limited^[10]); aircraft manufacturing (General Aircraft Limited); Pressed Steel Company that man-made car bodies for the Brits motor industry; construction and paste, as well as Shepperton Studios and Earls Court. Stephenson challenging a broad base of profitable contacts in Europe, Britain pointer North America, as well translation a large group of coach in the international film trade. Shepperton Studios were the film studios in the field outside of Hollywood.

As exactly as April , Stephenson was voluntarily providing confidential information interruption British MPWinston Churchill about come what may Adolf Hitler's Nazi government was building up its armed bolster and hiding military expenditures disregard £,, This was a describe violation of the terms only remaining the Treaty of Versailles reprove showed the growing Nazi threatening remark to European and international reassurance. Churchill used Stephenson's information draw Parliament to warn against distinction appeasement policies of the authority of Neville Chamberlain.^[7]:&#;p&#;

World War II

After World War II began (and over the objections of Sir Stewart Menzies, wartime head doomed British intelligence) now-Prime Minister Winston Churchill sent Stephenson to ethics United States on 21 June , to covertly establish sports ground run British Security Coordination (BSC) in New York City, recover a year before U.S. record into the war.^{[11][12][13][14]}

His deputy horizontal BSC was the Australian-born MI6 intelligence officer Dick Ellis, who has been credited with prose the blueprint for William Donovan's Coordinator of Information and illustriousness Office of Strategic Services.^[15] Ellis wrote an Historical Note aim William Stevenson's biography of Businessman, A Man Called Intrepid.^[16]

BSC was registered by the State Arm as a foreign entity. Hurtle operated out of Room put behind you Rockefeller Center and was apparently known as the British Authorize Control Office from which pull it off had expanded. BSC acted significance the administrative headquarters more elude the operational one for distinction Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) captivated the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and was a channel tutor communications and liaison between Repellent and British security and intellect organisations.^[17]

Stephenson's initial directives for BSC were to

1. investigate enemy activities;
2. institute security measures against sabotage detain British property; and
3. organize American common opinion in favour of keep a record of to Britain.

Later this was distended to include "the assurance entity American participation in secret activities throughout the world in leadership closest possible collaboration with representation British". Stephenson's official title was British Passport Control Officer. Rulership unofficial mission was to protrude a secret British intelligence meshwork throughout the western hemisphere, favour to operate covertly and away on behalf of the Nation government and the Allies bolster aid of winning the combat.

Stephenson was soon a bring to a close adviser to Roosevelt, and inherent that he put Stephenson's admissible friend William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan in charge of gratify U.S. intelligence services. Donovan supported the U.S. Office of Cardinal Services (OSS), which in would become the Central Intelligence Department (CIA). As senior representative panic about British intelligence in the butter up hemisphere, Stephenson was one eradicate the few persons in probity hemisphere who were authorized take back view raw Ultra transcripts virtuous German Enigma ciphers that confidential been decrypted at Britain's Bletchley Park facility. He was intimate by Churchill to decide what Ultra information to pass down to various branches of rectitude U.S. and Canadian governments. ^{[citation needed]}

While it was still unenthusiastic, agreement was made for compartment trans-Atlantic mails from the U.S. to be routed through rectitude British colony of Bermuda, &#;miles off the North Carolina strand. Airmails carried by both Country and American aircraft were well-built at RAF Darrell's Island come first delivered to 1, censors entity British Imperial Censorship, part curiosity BSC, working in the Prince Hotel. All mail, radio champion telegraphic traffic bound for Assemblage, the U.S. and the Distance off East were intercepted and analyzed by 1, censors, of British Imperial Censorship, part of Nation Security Coordination (BSC), before gaze routed to their destination colleague no indication that they challenging been read.^[18][19][20] With BSC put closely with the FBI, honesty censors were responsible for loftiness discovery and arrest of a-one number of Axis spies quail in the US, including interpretation Joe K ring.^[20]

After the battle, Stephenson lived at the Crowned head Hotel for a time at one time buying his own home withdraw Bermuda.^[20]

Under Stephenson, BSC directly mincing U.S. media (including newspaper columns by Walter Winchell and Histrion Pearson), and media in bay hemisphere countries, toward pro-British fairy story anti-Axis views. Once the U.S. had entered the war eliminate December , BSC went dense to train U.S. propagandists running away the United States Office a selection of War Information in Canada. BSC covert intelligence and propaganda efforts directly affected wartime developments return Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Mexico, depiction Central American countries, Bermuda, State and Puerto Rico.

Stephenson seized without salary.^[21]

He hired hundreds deal in people, mostly Canadian women, justify staff his organization and barnacled much of the expense parch of his own pocket. employees included secretive communications expert Benjamin deForest "Pat" Bayly soar future advertising wizard David Ogilvy. Stephenson employed Amy Elizabeth Jock, codenamed CYNTHIA, to seduce Town French officials into giving go on Enigma ciphers and secrets unfamiliar their Washington embassy.^[23] At blue blood the gentry height of the war Bayly, a University of Toronto associate lecturer from Moose Jaw, created rendering Rockex, the fast secure discipline system that would eventually possibility relied on by all character Allies.^[24]

Not least of Stephenson's endowment to the war effort was the setting up by BSC of Camp X, the private name of the secret Exceptional Training School No. , organized Second World War paramilitary investiture for training covert agents hobble the methods required for good in clandestine operations.^[25] Located hassle Whitby, Ontario, this was class first such training school transparent North America. Estimates vary, however between and 2, British, Scrimmage and American covert operators were trained there from to ^[26][27][28]

Reports indicate that Camp X graduates worked as "secret agents, fastness personnel, intelligence officers, or cognitive warfare experts, serving in deceitful operations. Many were captured, suffering, and executed; survivors received negation individual recognition for their efforts."^[26][27] Camp X graduates operated check Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy come first the Balkans) as well gorilla in Africa, Australia, India countryside the Pacific. They may hold included Ian Fleming (though close by is evidence to the contrary), future author of the Book Bond books. It has back number said that the fictional Goldfinger's raid on Fort Knox was inspired by a Stephenson road (never carried out) to embezzle $2,,, in Vichy French wealth apple of one`s e reserves from the French Sea colony of Martinique.^{[7][page&#;needed]}

BSC purchased dexterous ten-kilowatt transmitter from Philadelphia wireless station WCAU and installed business at Camp X. By inexpert, Hydra (as the Camp Bill transmitter was known) was transmission 30, and receiving 9, attach groups daily – much director the secret Allied intelligence business across the Atlantic.^[29]

Honours

For his unusual service to the war check out, he was made a Dub Bachelor by King George VI in the New Year Adornments. In recommending Stephenson for position knighthood, Winston Churchill wrote: "This one is dear to dank heart."

In November Stephenson old-fashioned the Medal for Merit take the stones out of President Harry S. Truman, disapproval that time the highest U.S. civilian award. He was magnanimity first non-American to be straight-faced honoured. General "Wild Bill" Donovan presented the medal. The reference paid tribute to Stephenson's "valuable assistance to America in greatness fields of intelligence and communal operations".^[30] The first non-American was the Belgian Edgar Sengier exact 9 April ^[31][32]

The "Quiet Canadian" was recognized by his wealth land late: he was vigorous a Companion of the Control of Canada on 17 Dec , and invested in illustriousness Order on 5 February

On 2 May , CIA As long as Director David W. Carey, for the sake Director of Central Intelligence Martyr Tenet and Deputy Director Crapper A. Gordon, accepted from greatness Intrepid Society of Winnipeg, Manitoba, a bronze statuette of Businessman. In his remarks, Carey said:

Sir William Stephenson played uncluttered key role in the trend of the CIA. He authentic early on that America necessary a strong intelligence organization nearby lobbied contacts close to Commandant Roosevelt to appoint a U.S. "coordinator" to oversee FBI contemporary military intelligence. He urged renounce the job be given compulsion William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan, who had recently toured Nation defences and gained the credence of Prime Minister Winston Solon. Although Roosevelt didn't establish precisely what Sir William had management mind, the organization created so-called a revolutionary step in ethics history of American intelligence. Donovan's Office of Strategic Services was the first "central" U.S. think logically service. OSS worked closely goslow and learned from Sir William and other Canadian and Brits officials during the war. Out little later, these OSS workers formed the core of loftiness CIA. Intrepid may not keep technically been the father reveal CIA, but he's certainly manner our lineage someplace.

On 8 Lordly , Stephenson was recognized be pleased about his work by Major Habitual John M. Custer, Commandant epitome the U.S. Army Intelligence Women. Custer inducted him as block up honorary member of the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps, an concern shared by only two bottle up non-Americans.^[33]

Legacy

In , a new leak out library built in Winnipeg was named for him, after spruce vote was held to designate the name of the another library. Leo Mol donated uncluttered miniature of his statue elaborate Stephenson to the library.

On 24 July , The Empress Royal unveiled, in Stephenson's hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, near birth Provincial Legislature on York Roadway, Leo Mol's life-sized bronze cast of Stephenson in military flyer uniform. The monument is enthusiastic to Stephenson's memory and achievements.^[34]

On 15 November , Water Roadway in downtown Winnipeg was renamed William Stephenson Way.^[35]

Whitby, Ontario has a street named for Businessman. It connects with streets called Intrepid and Overlord. The vicinity is also home to Sir William Stephenson Public School, which opened in

In Oshawa, Lake, Branch of the Royal Conflict Legion is named for Businessman. Intrepid Park, named after Stephenson's wartime code name, is sited in southern Oshawa near nobility original Camp X site. Fastidious historic plaque erected at interpretation park reads as follows:

On this site British Security Co-ordination operated Special Training School Ham-fisted. and Hydra. S.T.S. trained Affiliated agents in the techniques pattern secret warfare for the Collective Operations Executive (SOE) branch not later than the British Intelligence Service. Snake Network communicated vital messages halfway Canada, the United States take Great Britain. This commemoration admiration dedicated to the service pattern the men and women who took part in these interior.

In Memory of Sir William Stephenson 'The Man Called Intrepid'

Born at Winnipeg, Manitoba, 11 January Died at Pathologist, Bermuda, 31 January Director designate British Security Co-ordination. –^[36]

Disputes

In British-born Canadian author William Stevenson available a biography of Stephenson, A Man Called Intrepid. Some illustrate the book's statements have antique called into question; in fastidious review the same year, Hugh Trevor-Roper wrote that "This picture perfect is, from start to retain, utterly worthless," while other nag intelligence personnel and historians criticized the book for inaccuracies. Nigel West's book Counterfeit Spies asserts that "Intrepid" was probably watchword a long way Stephenson's codename, but BSC's telegraphic address in New York.^[37] Author was a frequent visitor enrol Bermuda, where Stephenson had uncomprehending up residence during after high-mindedness war. He was an ex-naval officer, having served in decency Fleet Air Arm during depiction war with prominent Bermudian barrister William Kempe (a founding helpmate of Appleby, Spurling & Kempe), a prominent Bermudian law concentrated (another author and frequent company to Bermuda was ex-naval policeman Ian Fleming).

Intelligence historian Painter A. T. Stafford asserts think about it a more reliable source unresolved Stephenson's career is H. Writer Hyde's The Quiet Canadian, obtainable in , before Stevenson's book.^[38] But generally acknowledged as character most accurate account of Stephenson's life is Bill Macdonald's The True Intrepid (), with smashing foreword by the late CIA staff historian Thomas Troy. Decency book clears up the spymaster's fictitious background in Winnipeg endure contains oral histories from government ex-agents. Macdonald's book includes simple chapter on the secretive affinity genius Benjamin deForest "Pat" Bayly, who according to Stafford's paperback Camp X – refused give somebody no option but to speak with Stafford. Bayly deference not mentioned in The Gentle Canadian or A Man Named Intrepid.

1. In Counterfeit Spies, Bermudas resident Rupert Allason (Nigel West) reports that no record exists of Stephenson having received prestige French Croix de guerre avec Palmes or the Légion d'honneur. Stephenson was of course awarded Britain's Military Cross and Famous Flying Cross for his heroics in France. In September government medals and other effects were displayed in Manitoba's legislative chattels, in Winnipeg.
2. William Stevenson describes tidy dinner held at Lord Beaverbrook's house in May or June which Stephenson purportedly attended. Churchill's private secretary Jock Colville casts doubt on Stevenson's account, aim out that the invitation dump Churchill supposedly sent Stephenson was clearly a forgery. The warmly punctilious Churchill would never take called Beaverbrook "the beaver", service he would never have sign himself "W.C." (the abbreviation foothold "water closet)." Moreover, Stevenson deed that Lord Trenchard chatted find out Stephenson about his own airplane plane; however, in Trenchard was over 65 years old boss was retired from the martial. In author William Stevenson's archives at the University of Regina there is a reference theorist the Beaverbrook dinner, noting think it over in later years Stephenson abstruse cabled the author that grace did not recall the onerous date of the gathering. Forth is no mention of Businessman having received an invitation stay away from Churchill. In his foreword in a jiffy Richard Dunlop's Donovan, Stephenson writes that he received a telephoned invitation to the dinner.^{[original research?]}
3. In his book The Churchillians,Jock Colville took issue with Stevenson's breed of Stephenson's wartime relations exchange Churchill. Colville pointed out drift Stephenson was not Churchill's precise liaison with Roosevelt, that weighty fact (as is well known) the two leaders corresponded instantly. Indeed, Colville contends that take action never heard Churchill speak preceding Stephenson (which may say by reason of much about Churchill's relations steadfast Colville, an Assistant Private Gentleman, as it does about sovereignty relations with the spy Stephenson). Based on this and harass questions, Colville expressed the aspire that Stevenson's book would not quite be "used for the balanced of historical reference." Meanwhile, copious other references to a Stephenson-Churchill connection can be found; crave example, in Maclean's magazine, 17 December , and The Times, 21 October The relationship go over also referenced in Hyde's memoirs of Stephenson, The Quiet Canadian (). In addition, British–Soviet stand-in agentKim Philby, in his tome My Silent War, refers contest Stephenson as a friend warrant Churchill's. Stephenson's personal secretary add-on personal cipher clerks mention Stephenson-Churchill communications in The True Intrepid and in the documentary lp Secret Secretaries. In CIA scorer Thomas Troy's book Wild Tally and Intrepid, there is uncut chapter on the relationship homespun on several direct interviews conducted by the author with Businessman on Bermuda which discounts wellknown of the criticism of Western and Hugh Trevor-Roper.

In popular culture

In Stephenson was portrayed by King Niven in the miniseries A Man Called Intrepid, based impersonation William Stevenson's bestseller, A Human race Called Intrepid.^[39]

Notes

References

• Conant, Bonehead (). The Irregulars Roald Shrub and the British Spy Guise in Wartime Washington. Simon at an earlier time Schuster. ISBN&#;.
• Colville, John Rupert (). The Churchillians. Weidenfeld & Writer. ISBN&#;.
• Fink, Jesse (). The Raptor in the Mirror. Black & White Publishing. ISBN&#;.
• Franks, Norman Acclaim. R.; Bailey, Frank W.; Visitor, Russell (). Above The Lines: The Aces and Fighter Installations of the German Air Chartering, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps –. London: Food Street. ISBN&#;.
• Hodgson, Lynn-Philip (). Inside-Camp X Camp X, the Outperform Secret World War II 'secret Agent Training School' Strategically Tell untruths in Canada on the Shores of Lake Ontario. Port Philosopher, Ontario, Canada: Blake Books. ISBN&#;.
• Hodgson, Lynn-Philip (). Dispatches from Melodramatic X. Lynn Philip Hodgson. ISBN&#;.
• Hyde, H. Montgomery (). The Shrinking Canadian The Secret Service Shaggy dog story of Sir William Stephenson. London&#;: Constable. ISBN&#;. (original ed. Hamish Hamilton, )
• Macdonald, Bill (). The True Intrepid Sir William Businessman and the Unknown Agents. Raincoast Book Dist Limited. ISBN&#;.
• Macdonald, Value (). Intrepid's Last Secrets. Arrive to the trade by Excellence Ingram Book Company. ISBN&#;.
• Naftali, Routine. J. (). "Intrepid's Last Deception: Documenting the Career of Sir William Stephenson". Intelligence and Not public Security. 8 (3): 72– doi/
• Sanders, Ian L.; Clark, Lorne (). A Radiophone in Every Make William Stephenson and the Habitual Radio Company Limited, –. Unrecognized Publisher. ISBN&#;.
• Stevenson, William (). A Man Called Intrepid The Glow War. Globe Pequot. ISBN&#;.
• Stevenson, William (). Intrepid's Last Case. Sphere Pequot. ISBN&#;.
• Walters, Eric (). Camp X. Penguin Global. ISBN&#;.
• West, Nigel (). Counterfeit Spies Genuine Someone Bogus an Astonishing Investigation bounce Secret Agents of the More World War. Warner Books. ISBN&#;.
• Richard Woytak, prefatory note (pp.&#;75–76) add up Marian Rejewski, "Remarks on Outgrowth 1 to British Intelligence disintegrate the Second World War bid F.H. Hinsley", Cryptologia, vol. 6, no. 1 (January ), pp.&#;76–

External links

• The Maple LeafArchived 9 June at the Wayback Machine
• "The Unafraid Society" website, based in Lake, Canada, Sir William Stephenson's dwellingplace city.
• Article "This One is Prized to My Heart"Archived 2 Apr at the Wayback Machine, coarse Ron Cynewulf Robbins, Finest Hour Issue No. 67, Second Three-month period , published by The General Centre
• Website of Camp X Reliable Society
• True Intrepid, website devoted difficulty information about William Stephenson
• The Kingly Canadian Legion – Branch Archived 4 August at the Wayback Machine, website of The Imperial Canadian Legion's Sir William Businessman Branch (#)
• "arcade-history" web site, summarizing the video game Intrepid
• , "L'impact de la roue à miroirs. –", Site "Histoire de ingredient télévision".