Month: January 2014

German Cabaret singer Clara Bauerle & German spy Josef Jakobs

When Josef Jakobs landed at Dovehouse Farm near Ramsey on the night of 31 January, 1941, he had a picture postcard in his possession. The photograph was of a woman with an inscription on the back which read: My dear _ _I love youFor everYourClaraLandau, July 1940 At first, there was some confusion as to […]

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Governor of Wandsworth Prison – Major Benjamin Dixon Grew

Benjamin Dixon Grew was born on 25 June, 1892, in Shoreditch, London. His parents were card maker Benjamin Grew and Minnie Jane Moore who were married in 1886. Benjamin had several older and younger siblings but, in 1904, the large brood of children lost their mother when Minnie Jane passed away. Military Service Benjamin joined

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National Registration Identity Card carried by German spy Josef Jakobs

On September 3, 1939, England declared war against Germany. On September 5 of that same year the English Parliament, with Royal Assent, passed a National Registration system. With war declared, evacuations looming, and the last census eight years old, the government wanted to know who lived in England and how to keep track of them.

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Website Review – Upwood & The Raveleys History Pages – Josef Jakobs

Since Josef Jakobs landed near the village of Ramsey, Huntingdonshire, his story is often mentioned in histories of the area. One such website is Upwood & The Raveleys History Pages which have a small section on Josef. This site also pulled a picture of Josef from his virtual grave on the Find A Grave website.

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German Spy Josef Jakobs Incarcerated in Wandsworth Prison – July 23 to August 15, 1941

History of Wandsworth Prison Wandsworth Prison opened its doors in 1851 as The Surrey House of Correction. It was constructed using a modified “Panopticon” design with a central hub from which four wings radiated. Initially 700 prisoners were housed at Wandsworth each in an individual cell with toilet facilities. Eventually the toilet facilities were removed

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Willem Hertzog – Doctor to German Spy Josef Jakobs

Introduction On February 1, 1941, Josef Jakobs was discovered in a field at Dovehouse Farm near Ramsey, Huntingdonshire. Josef had suffered a broken ankle during his descent by parachute from a German aircraft. Unable to move, he summoned help by firing his pistol into the air. Two farmers found Josef that morning and notified the

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Website Review – RAF Upwood

RAF Bases near Ramsey When Josef landed near the village of Ramsey on the evening of January 31, 1941, he had a map in his possession which caused quite a stir with the local authorities. A pencilled circle and a cross marked the locations of two Royal Air Force Bases. The cross marked RAF Upwood

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