Call up for Service - Irene C. Bastendorff - SOE/FANY

My mother, Irene Constance Morrell and her twin sister were born on 7th February 1921, at 9 Regents Square, London, WC1.

She wrote, "In 1939 I lived with my parents and sister in Highbury Hill, Highbury N5. My father died in 1940 (aged 42). The family were mostly tailors."

"When the air raid sirens went off, we took shelter in the Arsenal Football Ground, which was used as an air raid shelter. At night we slept there and took our blankets with us."

"We had an Anderson shelter in our garden, but preferred the stadium."

"We were subject to rationing and blackouts. At night everybody had to have blackout curtains, as no lights could be seen during the air raids."

"As the war began I was working as a shorthand typist at The Refuge insurance Company in the Strand."

"I was called up for the ATS, but as insurance work was deemed to be of national importance, I was not required to go."

"In 1944 I was called up again to go into a factory, I hated the idea."

Irene had to report to the Ministry of Labour for armament factory work. The Ministry of Labour were on the lookout for girls suitable for covert work. She was sent to the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) for an interview at the vicarage in Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1. Marion Gamwell (FANY Commandant) would interview potential recruits there. The FANY had a clandestine unit that supported the Special Operations Executive (SOE). The FANY SOE work was secret and was kept from all including close family.

On the 10th July 1944 she was posted to Chicheley Hall, near Newport Pagnell for the ten day FANY (79th) Training Course. After successful completion, she was posted to STS (Special Training School) SOE Station 53a, Grendon Hall, Grendon Underwood, Bucks.

"I was transferred to Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire about 12 miles from Aylesbury," She recalled.

Grendon Underwood was the Signals Centre for the SOE French section (F Section). They worked with French resistance groups and had SOE Agents in the field. Many of the female spies were FANYs. About forty FANY staff worked at Grendon.

"There were many different jobs that the girls did: Wireless Operators, Coders, Drivers and Cooks. I worked in the Orderly Room. The Royal Corp of Signals was also stationed there."

"I also went to Poundon House (SOE Station 53b) near Oxford for a while."

Irene was employed as a shorthand typist - Unit M01 (S.P) - SOE Special Projects. On the 1/10/44 Irene was working at a higher level of operational responsibility as a Registration Clerk. The Signals Station received and sent messages by wireless transmission. Messages were enciphered and deciphered in the coding office. The Registration staff maintained an error free paper trail.

"In February 1945 I got married and was transferred to the London HQ, in Baker Street."

The SOE Headquarters was based at Baker Street, they were sometimes referred to as 'The Baker Street Irregulars' after Conan Doyle. FANY records show that on the 10th February 1945 her name changed to Irene C. Bastendorff.

On the 4th May 1945 Irene was appointed by FANY Commandant (Marion Gamwell) to the rank of Lance Corporal (by recommendation of the Officer in Charge). The letter was addressed to L/Cpl. I.C.Bastendorff, FANY. No.18549, Room 98, Horse Guards.

"I was demobbed in 1945 when the war ended," she said.

Irene's operational service was completed (Inactive) on the 3/7/45.
She resigned (her subscription ended) from the FANY on 23/5/46. As the FANYs were volunteers, they were required to pay an annual subscription.

Postscript
I found in my Mother's possessions, a printed thank you card (probably sent to all FANYs). The cover says - SPECIAL FORCE SIGNALS. The inside reads - You were a member of a team which, by its faithful service to your comrades behind enemy lines on the battle fronts of the world, enabled nations to retain their self-respect, and made the Allied task so much easier. You have reason to be proud of your contribution to Victory.
Signed, F. W. Nicholls. Brigadier GS. (Frederick Nicholls was Director of Signals SOE)

Sources: Written accounts in Irene's own hand, Irene's FANY documents, her Service Record and explanatory notes kindly supplied by the Princess Royal Volunteer Corps. (FANY).