Secret WW2 Trustee Paul McCue was honoured to be asked by Gabrielle McDonald-Rothwell, Geoff's widow and author of the book, to introduce both her and the book at Daunt Books in Holland Park Avenue, London. Gabrielle is already well-known to the Charity, having conducted a lot of research in France for her last book, Her Finest Hour, (about Diana Rowden of SOE's French Section) and having attended the Valençay ceremony in 2016.
Paul has reported that the book is a good read about a remarkable man, pilot and leader whose Stirling was brought down on the Dutch island of Texel in September 1944, shortly after successfully dropping two agents into Holland. It was Geoff's 71st operation, a remarkable achievement in itself at a time when Bomber Command experienced such heavy losses of aircrew. Sadly, Geoff died last year, in New Zealand, before the book was published.
Among those present on Monday evening were Carol Brown, the Charity's Information Secretary, supporters Anna Menzies Caldwell (daughter of French Section agent Jean Mennesson/James Menzies) and Lauriane Thorner, and Nick Livingstone.
As Paul summed up for the family and friends gathered in Holland Park, Gabrielle's work was truly a labour of love to give well-earned credit to her late husband.
LAST MAN STANDING: www.amberley-books.com/last-man-standing.html
HER FINEST HOUR: www.amberley-books.com/her-finest-hour-9756.html
Photos and archive images courtesy of
Carol Brown - Bob Body - Gabrielle McDonald-Rothwell - NZBCA
