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TANIA SZABO
It was an honour and a moving experience for all to share the Opening Ceremony
of the Museum with Tania: but her words in Marcus Davidson's unique and privileged tête-â-tête with her will echo in the minds of all who are able to listen to her via the medium of this film,
forming as they do such an emotional and living link with her brave and illustrious mother.
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ROSEMARY E. RIGBY, MBE
Her tireless and dedicated efforts have resulted in the creation of the Museum at
her home "Cartref" Wormelow, near Hereford - the dwelling where Violette recuperated
between SOE missions.
Miss Rigby was appointed MBE for her many years of work on behalf of the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
In the film she is explicit as to her motivation and the emotion within her - revealing her very spiritual essence in regard to Violette.
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VIRGINIA McKENNA
The British film actress (who played the part of Violette Szabo in Lewis Gilbert's 1958 film
"Carve Her Name With Pride" based on the book of the same name by Brigadier R. J. Minney)
performed the Opening Ceremony of the Museum on Saturday 24th June 2000 as part of her own continuing support for acknowledging Violette's place in history.
Miss McKenna's remarks in the subsequent interview with Mr. Davidson, the Director and Producer of the film, are most moving.
We are pleased to record that Virginia was awarded the OBE in the New Year's Honours 2004 "for services to art and to animal conservation" - she received her OBE from the Queen on 9th June 2004.
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JEAN-CLAUDE GUIET and ROBERT MALOUBIER, DSO
Compagnons d'armes in SOE and serving alongside Violette these two gentlemen remain a vibrant part of
all memories of her and they figure much to the forefront in this film: their
remarkable story is an intriguing and vital part of it, Monsieur Maloubier's return visit to their departure 'drome in England clearly affecting him and generating a considerable feeling of "presence" within those who benefit from having a personal copy of the film.
These gentlemen were part of "The Salesman Circuit" - organised by Philippe Liéwer (Hamlet, also known as Maj. Charles Staunton),
this circuit became famous because of the drop on the night of 7/8 June 1944 by the Fenster crew of the 36th BS, 801st BG, near the village of Sussac, about 50km to the SE of Limoges and which tragically was to be Violette's last mission.
Bob Maloubier's own web presence is a fascinating study for French-speaking interested parties.
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LEO MARKS
Born Leopold Samuel Marks in London on 24 September 1920 he became the chief cryptographer of SOE
during WWII and revolutionised the construction and security of their cyphers - his well-known and touching poem (used
by Violette) becoming a part of popular English literature.
After the war Leo turned to writing for the stage and screen, working with the Boulting Brothers on occasion.
He attended the Opening Ceremony of the Museum and spoke later for the film with considerable affection for Violette.
His book "Between Silk and Cyanide" - the story of SOE's Code War, 1941-1945 was published by HarperCollins
in October 1998. Sadly he died in January 2001.
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URSULA SADLER-MURRAY
Ursula was recruited as a Radio Operator during WWII and has remained in the science and art
of radio operating to this day, currently with the amateur callsign of GØIHM she operates from England and
the United States of America.
She was the leading operator of the Special Event radio station GB2SZB on the field at the opening
of the Museum. Among other FANY operators she is one of the group shown on the front cover of Leo
Marks' book.
Living for many years on Montserrat, Ursula was tragically widowed several years ago but actively maintains
very close connections with the Special Forces Association and many of her surviving colleagues of FANY and former members of SOE.
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STEVE TOMLINSON
The interpretive designer, so very capably responsible for the informative text and illustrated panels in the Museum that we are delighted to dedicate a special page on this website to him and his fine artistry - CLICK HERE for PANELS - our purpose is not only to acknowledge Steve's valuable contribution to the Museum but to enable those who cannot visit the Museum when it reopens in the Spring of 2002 to savour the content pro tem - and others proposing a visit to have their appetites whetted!
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