SOE CD1 - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SIR FRANK NELSON (Author's Uncorrected Proof Edition)

Sir Frank Nelson KCMG became the initial head and architect of Britain's WW2 clandestine organisation called the Special Operations Executive.During a three-year self-funded venture, researcher and author Mike Palmer reveals the life-story of a forgotten wartime hero, Sir Frank Nelson.Born into a world of wealth and privilege, during the reign of Queen Victoria, Francis Nelson excelled at private boarding schools in England and Germany, both in his academic achievements and by gaining a physical prowess. On completing his education, Nelson chose a career in banking and through hard work and dedication he left his London base for adventures in the Far East before settling in Bombay during 1911. It was not long before the young man gained social respect and also admiration for his financial expertise; he also joined the Bombay Light Horse Volunteer Reserve Force when World War One was declared but he was not deployed. After the war, Frank Nelson's efforts focussed on India's economic insitutions, and he began working for the British Government, who controlled the country's budget and administration. He became a Director of The Bank of India, served as the Chairman of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Associated Chamber of Commerce of India and Ceylon; he was also a member of the Legislative Council of Bombay. His influence and noted success offered him a wealth of opportunities and as a partner in the brokerage firm of Symons, Barlow and Company, he sought to capitalise on his position. Frank's achievements in India were quickly acknowledged and in 1924, he returned to England where he received a knighthood, and very soon after became an MP for the Unionist-Conservatives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, remaining in political office until 1931. Afterwards he returned to private business. Between 1939 - 1940, Nelson worked undercover for the Secret Intelligence Service, in Claude Dansey's Z Network, acting as the British Consul in Basle, Switzerland, where he gathered information and created 'safe' routes for people and materials leaving the country. Sir Frank remained in situ until June 20th, 1940, when he arrived back in England where he was immediately tasked to create a single 'subversive' force from the amalgamation of three individual units from the British secret service. The Special Operations Executive would "co-ordinate, inspire, control and assist the nationals of the oppressed countries who must themselves be the direct participants", stated Lord Halifax the Foreign Secretary. Small-scale sabotage, propaganda, and resistance against the Nazis could only be achieved with the help of pro-British supporters and embedded S.O.E. agents who would manage these volunteer groups; The organisation would provide training, arms, supplies, and finance, to the resister groups; it would coordinate missions, and create communication links to Britain.Under extreme difficulties from both within and outside of Whitehall Sir Frank Nelson slowly built around him a functioning administration, and established a viable covert asset in the war effort. His men would embark on subterfuge and guerrilla warfare operations across occupied Europe and beyond. S.O.E. also played an important role in the liberation of Europe, especially during the build up to Operation Overlord in 1944. Nelson himself had left the organisation in 1942 due to poor health but was promoted to Air Commodore, and worked in Washington, before becoming the chief of Air Intelligence for the British Control Commission in Detmold, Germany. In 1945 Sir Frank was again knighted, this time for his S.O.E. work but he felt out of place in a post-war Britain. He had lost his entire fortune, his status had gone, and feeling isolated he descended into drug dependency. During 1950 he attempted suicide but a British nurse half his age saved him; the pair married in 1952 and lived frugally together until his death 1966.