During World War II, secrecy was essential. Britain’s intelligence agencies, including MI5, MI6, and the Special Operations Executive (SOE) were crucial in undermining enemy operations and supporting resistance efforts across occupied Europe. Their covert activities, from sabotage to codebreaking at Bletchley Park, were vital to the war effort but remained hidden for many years under the Official Secrets Act.

The Secret War project sheds light on these stories through a collection of 60 interviews conducted by Martyn Cox, alongside 10 newly recorded interviews with veterans who participated in Britain’s covert operations. The veterans, ranging from administrative staff to field agents operating in enemy-occupied Europe, offer a unique insight into the wartime efforts that remain largely hidden from public knowledge.

As well as being part of Legasee’s growing archive, the project’s interviews are preserved at the University of Sussex, ensuring that their stories can be shared with future generations.

In 2016, the project engaged with students from St Marylebone C of E School, providing them with an opportunity to learn about and contribute to preserving this critical part of history. The students gained first-hand experience with oral history techniques and played a vital role in making the veterans’ voices heard.

A temporary exhibition was launched, offering visitors a chance to explore the history of the SOE through the veterans’ own accounts. The success of the exhibition sparked an innovative idea to develop a walking tour app around London, highlighting key locations significant to the SOE’s work during the war.

The Secret War project was made possible by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, allowing us to preserve and share these invaluable personal histories.