Posted 16 January 2017 - 09:00
Posted 16 January 2017 - 09:00
News
Campaign to commemorate nurse who worked as a spy
Local historians and councillor want a blue plaque to be erected in honour of the late Madge Addy, who became an undercover agent for the Allies in the second world war.
Local historians and a city councillor in Manchester are campaigning for a blue plaque to honour a nurse who worked as an undercover agent during the second world war.
in occupied France during the second world war.
Madge Addy, also known as Marguerite, was born in Manchester and served as a nurse during the Spanish civil war. She then became a secret agent for the Allies in occupied France.
It is believed she arrived in Spain in 1937 and became head nurse at a hospital in Castile, writing detailed letters about her work to help with campaigns for medical supplies.
According to a blog written by local historian Andrew Gibson she was captured and imprisoned after the war ended.
The British government lobbied for her release and she was the last British nurse to leave Spain after the war. She went on to marry a Norwegian she had met in the country.
Undercover missions
During the second world war she worked with MI9, a department of the war office. This work included travelling as a Norwegian citizen on German civil flights, carrying secret messages sewn into the lining of her coat.
for much-needed medical supplies.
Historians Mr Gibson and Christopher Hall, along with Chorlton Labour councillor Sheila Newman are campaigning for the nurse to be honoured with a blue plaque, a permanent sign to commemorate a person or event.
Mr Gibson said: ‘There is still so much we don’t know about Madge after her time as a spy and we would like to learn more. She died in 1970, but there is no obituary. There must be some people who knew her locally and we want to galvanise interest.’
Cllr Newman said the plaque could be put up in the street where she lived in the suburb of Chorlton: ‘Madge was obviously a remarkable woman. It is the 80th anniversary of her arriving in Spain and it is about time she was commemorated for what she has done,’ she said.
The cost of the blue plaque will be met by voluntary donations. To find out more or donate, email Christopher Hall at christoff_hall@yahoo.com
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