Even after she was publicly exposed in 1999 as having worked for the KGB, neighbours found it very hard to condemn the nice old girl whod been such a good neighbour for decades. Dr Burke says: She was a sophisticated spy. Anita (l. 1943) Pekerjaan. She took top-secret documents from the Tube Alloys project - the cover name for the nuclear weapons programme - copied them and passed them to her KGB handlers. Hilary Norwood Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Anita Ferguson, a school laboratory technician from Wombourne, Staffordshire, speaks to the media following the news that her 87-year-old mother. BN-FRMA linked up with a to-secret project to develop a nuclear weapon called Tube Alloys. These documents revealed Norwoods espionage, but British officials kept it secret because they didnt think there was enough evidence to prosecute. Experts still debate how much she actually ended up helping the Soviet nuclear program. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. documents by the code name ''Hola.'' Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos It was directed by Trevor Nunn, [10] and produced by David Parfitt, with a screenplay by Lindsay Shapero. Anyone can read what you share. 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Her ability to understand technical material meant she was promoted to secretary to the director. I thought perhaps what I had access to might be useful in helping Russia to keep abreast of Britain, America and Germany. She added that, in general, I do not agree with spying against one's country.. Still, she refuses to discuss the actual passing over of documents and refuses to say who wooed her to the KGB. In 1996, the government decided that the information in the Mitrokhin papers should be available to the public, and handed them over to the Cambridge professor Christopher Andrew so he could write a book about them. Includes Address (23) Phone (7) Email (7) See Results. The great-grandmother of 87 still lives in the same, spartan south London house which she bought with her husband, a maths teacher, 50 years ago. She told The Times of London that in the same circumstances, I know that I would do the same thing again.. The KGBs man on the inside was in fact Melita Norwood, a grey-haired, tea-drinking woman in her eighties who enjoyed tending the roses at her semi-detached home in suburban South East London. Invest in the future today. Her consequent contribution of atomic intelligence to the Soviet Union was incalculable, certainly big enough for the Russians to declare that she had made a valuable contribution to the development of work in this field. She's a very good person, very strong and totally unmaterialistic," she told The Daily Mail at the time. Anita Ferguson, the daughter of Melita Norwood, "has spoken of her distress at discovering the double life led by her mother throughout her childhood." His occupation was Yes. As the news of Norwoods espionage broke in The Times, Norwood held a press conference to confirm that she was a spy and explain why shed done it. The newspaper will begin on Monday to serialize a book published in Britain as ''The Mitrokhin Archive: The K.G.B. Norwood's father died when was six from tuberculosis and the family moved to Southampton. She was, in many ways, the perfect spy, living during most of her long years of treason in a pebble-dash semi in Bexleyheath, South-East London, with her maths and chemistry teacher husband Hilary, growing fresh vegetables in her back garden allotment and bringing up their daughter Anita. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! The last time she visited Russia was in 1979, with her husband, when she says she again rejected financial reward. His occupation was Yes. The extent of Norwoods betrayal only became clear in 1999 after Russian defector Vasili Mitrokhin opened up his KGB files to MI5 and British journalists. He said: "Melita was not a hard-line Stalinist. In 2000, a parliamentary committee that oversaw intelligence agencies criticised the government for failing to prosecute Norwood. Anita Ferguson, the daughter of Melita Norwood, "has spoken of her distress at discovering the double life led by her mother throughout her childhood." She was characterized as a "disciplined and Anita Ferguson, a school laboratory technician from Wombourne, Staffordshire, speaks to the media following the news that her 87-year-old mother. MELITA Norwood was a grey-haired, tea-drinking woman in her eighties who had been a dutiful wife and mother, but she was also Russia's most effective spy - going undetected for nearly 40 years. It also offered her a pension of 20 a month. If you want to learn more about this . Everyone liked her. Key to this was research into metallurgy and this is exactly what Melita Norwood had access to in her apparently lowly job. She married chemistry teacher Hilary Norwood (formerly named Nussbaum), also a Communist, in 1935, and two years later they bought the house on Garden Avenue where she would live for the next 65 years. She retired in 1972, and remained in her Bexleyheath home until her death in 2005. Sat 2 Jul 2005 21.01 EDT. When the spy was eventually unmasked half a century later in 1999, the identity came as a huge shock. He suspected she had been meeting KGB agents when she arrived back late from work, but did not know the extent of her crimes. Although her father died when she was six, the family still held Left-wing views which the bright child absorbed from an early age. Red Joan is a 2018 film very loosely inspired by Norwood's life, starring Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson. Melitamarried Hilary Norwood. Norwood died in 2005, but people have remained fascinated with her story. He too was a member of the Communist Party. This was a woman who was seen pottering around tending to her vegetables and flowers. Anita Ferguson, the daughter of Melita Norwood, "has spoken of her distress at discovering the double life led by her mother throughout her childhood." Rose, David. He founded the Southern Worker And Labour And Socialist Journal in Southampton. But what Melita exactly did is up for debate. Newly released files from the Mitrokhin archive make clear how vital a KGB source Norwood . Melita Norwood death. I certainly didnt.. Her work continued after the war and there's no question what she handed over was useful to the Soviets. Melita was thirty-eight years of age and Hilary was approaching his fortieth birthday. Norwoods excuse for helping dictator Joseph Stalin in his pursuit of the atomic bomb at the end of World War Two was that she feared the US, which already had nukes, would end Russias socialist dream. This afternoon she strolled in her garden at the request of photographers but refused to answer any questions. From World War II through the Cold War, she stole nuclear secrets from the office where she worked as a secretary and passed them to Moscow. five years later, saying only, ''Somebody said that my work might be an interesting source of material.'' As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "I must have thought if any of the work the BN-FMRA was doing, not secret stuff, might be useful," she explained. Sitting in front of Max, her boss, she simply suggests using a centrifuge as causally as you would suggest having a cup of tea before turning back to her notes. Links to more UK stories are at the foot of the page. Her daughter, Anita Ferguson, said she died on June 2. Is it time Harry & Meghan accept Clarkson's apology and move on? Is it time Harry & Meghan accept Clarkson's apology and move on? Had she seen for herself her KGB handlers description of her as loyal and trustworthy, it would have come as no surprise, for this is precisely how she saw herself in doing her bit to prevent the defeat of the Communist creed. She was an emotional Communist and quite naive. On September 11th 1999 The Times newspaper carried the front page article "Revealed: the quiet woman who betrayed Britain for 40 years. Like many nonagenarians, Melita Norwood did her best to keep her mind active. ''It was a very big shock, I had no idea, no idea at all.'' Born in 1912 she was brought up with Communists, Socialists and Leninists. He kept sensitive documents in both, sometimes holding evening meetings at home at which Lette was expected to be on hand. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. anita ferguson daughter of melita norwood About; FAQ; Contacts; Location; Rose, David. Red Joan is released in cinemas on April 19, 2019. Norwood would make copies then deliver them to her KGB handlers. Melita Norwood. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. The Great-Grandmother Comes In From the Cold, https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/13/world/the-great-grandmother-comes-in-from-the-cold.html. Then in 1999 an extensive archive of KGB material was uncovered by a defector. Melita Norwood Melita grew up to become a bright young girl, which she proved in 1923 by winning a scholarship to attend Itchen School, a secondary school near Southampton, in Southern England. It seemed that Britain was headed into another of the spy expose frenzies that have occurred periodically with the unmaskings of men like Kim Philby, Guy Burgess, Donald Maclean, Anthony Blunt and John Cairncross who followed their Communist sympathies into espionage. One said to the Sunday Mercury: "We all knew where her politics lay. In fact, Melita Norwood was the Soviet Unions longest-serving British spy. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Available for both RF and RM licensing. During that time she had handed over the country's secrets - willingly - to Russia, among them crucial information about the atomic bomb and its development. [10] [9] It premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. As early as 1938, she was nearly caught by the British. Her husband Harry, died in 1986. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images) Embed Save PURCHASE A LICENSE 09:22 GMT 28 Jun 2005, Bungling helicopter pilot blows over stadium roof injuring eight, Coles worker fights a woman allegedly trying to steal groceries, BBC Breakfast celebrates forty years of hilarious bloopers, Royal Family will find it 'impossible' to compromise with Sussexes, Ken Bruce will be joining the Greatest Hits Radio family in April, As it happened: UK Government blocks Scotland's new gender law, Russian pro-war fanatic warns Britain could be 'wiped off the map', Motorists slowly drive down snowy hill in treacherous conditions, Harrowing moment woman begs father not to kill himself, Shamima Begum never considered turning back during journey to ISIS. For Mrs Norwood was no ordinary granny. Access the best of Getty Images and iStock with our simple subscription plan. A writer, journalism and follower of Lenin - who formed the Communist Party in Great Britain - they were acquainted. Filming of Red Joan in Cambridge City Centre (Image: Keith Jones) Red Joan is a film based, although highly romanticised, on the true story of spy Melita Norwood who stole . The media were all gathered to hear what she had to say after revelations in the newspaper that day - Norwood had been a Soviet spy for nearly 40 years. In Wombourne, South Staffordshire, 120 miles away, her daughter Anita, a school laboratory technician, was astonished at the revelations about her elderly mother, and described herself as being in a state of disbelief. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. Except for one thing she worked at the British NonFerrous Metals Research Association offices in Euston, central London. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. With fish fingers on the side. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Widowed, Melita moved to Wombourne to be close to her daughter. Lived In Garland TX, Duncanville TX, Dallas TX, Desoto TX. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Norwood never revealed to anyone what she was up to, not even to her Left-leaning husband Hilary, a maths teacher. Related To Thomas Ferguson, John Ferguson, Jacob Ferguson. The revelations came as a total surprise to Norwood's daughter, Anita Ferguson, who didnt find out her mother was a spy until she read about it in the paper. From World War II through the Cold War, she stole nuclear secrets from the office where she worked as a secretary and passed them to Moscow. Burke still believes Norwood was the naive character Joan protrays. These usually ended so late that she stayed overnight. It was a terrible shock. / Melita, suffering cancer and heart disease, died at . Her lofty motivations are a far cry from Norwood's deliberate choices. Melita Norwood was a great-grandmother when her espionage was finally revealed. She began her spying career in the 1930s while working as a secretary for the Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association in London. , updated As early as 1938, she was. She declined it her spying was, after all, a matter of principle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tom King, chairman of the Parliamentary Security and Intelligence Committee, promised an investigation by lawmakers, saying, ''Questions need to be asked about who knew what when, and why there were no prosecutions.''. Melita Norwood Resides in Fairfax Station, VA. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Also known as Anita A James, Ferguson Anita. This innocuous-sounding association was actually part of a secret nuclear weapons research project with the U.S. called Tube Alloy. When no one was looking, Norwood would sneak into her boss office, open his safe and take pictures of the secret documents inside. It was a mere two years later that Norwood was spying for the Soviet NKVD - she'd been recruited by Rothstein himself. She'd potter around the streets after her morning cup of tea, out of her Che Guevera mug, and deliver copies of the Communist Party newspaper, The Morning Star. Members of her family didnt know what was going on at all. But as she became head girl of Hitchin Grammar School and captained the hockey team, few could have predicted the extraordinary outcome of such an early communist indoctrination. The Russians had been struggling to find a solution to an issue they were having with creating the atomic bomb when Norwood found the answer. Why Bother? Melita Stedman Norwood (ne Sirnis; 25 March 1912 - 2 June 2005) was a British civil servant, Communist Party of Great Britain member and KGB spy. Nunn swiftly takes us back in time to 1938, when Joan (a gracefully convincing Sophie Cookson) was a green but genius physics student at Cambridge, grabbing onto new inspirations and expanding her political horizon while growing into her sexuality. Well, she was partly aided by the boys club atmosphere of MI5, the British Security Service. For her part, Lette Norwood didnt allow exposure of her treachery to ruin her Morning Star delivery routine, which continued uninterrupted. When she returned to the firm in 1944, she went to work for the director, Dr G. L. Bailey, who wanted Lette because he knew she could cope with the technical jargon. Her father had fled from Russia to England and found a home here, but this meant little to Norwood. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), New film Red Joan tells the tale of Melita Norwood - a KGB 'man on the inside' who went undetected in Britain for almost 40 years, Melita Norwood, aka Hola, was Russia's most effective spy and wasn't unmasked until 1999, Described as 'the most important female agent ever recruited by the USSR', she is now the inspiration behind Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson's character with the pair playing her at different stages in her life, Her daughter, Anita Ferguson, defends her mother's career as a spy saying 'she did it to help the Russian people', Anita says Norwood was trying to help people and 'wasn't selfish', After joining the Communist Party, Norwood was recruited as a Russian agent by journalist Andrew Rothstein when she was just 22, The film is a glamorised version of events but there is no doubt it is based on unlikely operative Norwood, She never revealed her true identity, not even to her devoted husband Hilary (right), Despite having put millions of lives at risk, Norwood was never prosecuted for her treachery and she never expressed regret for her actions, Norwood leaked highly-classified documents that she came into contact with through her work as a secretary to the director of the British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association, Dr Burke says that it was only when she gave the Russians information on how to safely enrich uranium that they were able to test a bomb in 1949, Dr Burke believes Norwood enjoyed her moment of notoriety, noting the moment she dressed up to address the press outside her home, Asked if the story was true, Norwood replied 'Ive been a rather naughty little girl', Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Norwood was coming clean because a Cambridge historian had discovered her espionage while writing a book, but she was unrepentant. Who is Melitta Norwood? Despite having put millions of lives at risk, Norwood, who died in 2005 aged 93, was never prosecuted for her treachery and she never expressed regret for her actions. She was dressed in a wide collared lavender floral print blouse and gray tweed skirt and clutching a handwritten piece of paper with slightly trembling fingers. We see Joan struggle with the Communist Party she is dropped into thanks to the company she keeps. Standing in her suburban front garden in 87-year-old pensioner Melita Norwood read from a crisp sheet of paper, intently looking down the lens of a camera as she confessed to being a top secret spy and betraying her country. ''But I suppose it's all right as long as you are getting paid for it. Her handler described her as a loyal, trustworthy, disciplined agent who passed to the KGB a large amount of vital data. 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