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This Brooch is dedicated to all of the Special Operations Executive agents who flew out of RAF Tempsford. The deep red enamel poppy speaks of their sacrifice and remembrance. While at the heart of the poppy, a luminous pearl, symbolising the full moon that lit their clandestine departures was inspired by the Tempsford Memorial. On the reverse, the engraving “By the full moon we flew” is a quiet salute to their brave and resolve.
The leaf, delicately wrapped around the stem and adorned with crystals, represents the cloak of secrecy shielding their mission, protecting their purpose, and symbolising the hidden strength they carried with them. Among those who passed through this shadow world were remarkable women - couriers, wireless operators and organisers - who knew that every flight could be their last yet went without hesitation.
Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a British organisation formed in 1940 to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in German-occupied Europe and to aid local resistance movements during World War II.
The organisation was dissolved in 1946 and several memorials to those who served have been created including the Tempsford Memorial, which was unveiled in 2013 by the then-Prince of Wales in Bedfordshire, close to the site of the former RAF Tempsford.
Many agents were flown out by the RAF’s Special Duties “moon” squadrons from RAF Tempsford, with some operations starting from RAF Tangmere and RAF Harrington. The memorial features a symbolic moon mosaic - which the Prince of Wales completed by inserting the last piece at the memorial unveiling - as well as a flypast by a Lysander in the colours of the 161 Squadron and commemorates the women who served as secret agents in occupied Europe during the Second World War, the RAF aircrew who transported them, and the personnel from allied secret services who were killed in the war. It bears the names of 75 known women agents, of whom 29 were arrested, 16 were executed, three died of illnesses while imprisoned, and one committed suicide using a cyanide L-pill before being captured. This brooch is dedicated to all of these agents.
All profits from your purchase will go towards the Royal British Legion's work in supporting the Armed Forces community.
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