Conrad O'Brien-ffrench facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Conrad O'Brien-ffrench, 2nd Marquis de Castelthomond
Conrad O'Brien-ffrench c. 1919
Nickname(s)	Eagle (Regimental nickname 1921)
Born	(1893-11-19)19 November 1893 London, England
Died	23 October 1986(1986-10-23) (aged 92) Loveland, Colorado, United States
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Years of service	1912, 3rd batt. Royal Irish Regiment; 1914–1919, served in World War I; 1922, captain 16th The Queen's Lancers; 1919–1920, assistant military attache at Stockholm; 1920–1921, at Helsingfors; 1922, A.D.C. to Gov. of United Provinces, India
Rank	Captain, 16/5 Lancers
Unit	Royal Irish Regiment (Disbanded 1922. Not the current Regiment created 1992); 16th The Queen's Lancers
Battles/wars	Mons, World War I
Awards	The 1914 Star, Clasp & Emb., 13 August 1914 (Mons Star); The 1914 British War Medal (Squeak), 1914–1918; The Allied Victory Medal (Wilfred); Knight of Honour and Devotion of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem
Other work	SIS/MI6 Agent ST36 1919–1922. He rejoined in 1930 and became an operative (Agent Z3) for Claude Dansey's Z Organization until 1938.

Conrad Fulke Thomond O'Brien-ffrench, 2nd Marquis de Castelthomond (born November 19, 1893 – died October 23, 1986) was a brave British Secret Intelligence officer. He was a captain in the Royal Irish Regiment and 16th The Queen's Lancers during World War I. He also served as a Mountie for the Royal North-West Mounted Police in Canada. Conrad was a talented artist, spoke many languages, loved climbing mountains, skiing, and wrote books.

Conrad O'Brien-ffrench's Early Life and Education

Upper Fountain, Villa Torlonia, Frascati, where Conrad lived as a child.

Conrad O'Brien-ffrench was born in London, England. He was the second son of Henry Albert De Vreque O'Brien-ffrench. His mother was Winifred Thursby.

Conrad and his older brother, Rollo, spent their early years in Italy. They lived at Villa Torlonia (Frascati) near Rome and later in Florence. Private tutors taught them English, French, and Italian. When they returned to England, Conrad attended the Wick preparatory school. He later went to Bradley Court Agricultural College. There, he learned about horses and country activities.

Joining the Royal North-West Mounted Police

SS Empress of Britain at Liverpool in 1905. Conrad sailed on this ship to Canada.

When Conrad was 16, his life changed suddenly. His brother Rollo died in a football accident. Conrad left school to study farming. He met a judge from Canada who told him about the Royal North-West Mounted Police.

In April 1910, at age 17, Conrad sailed to Quebec on the Empress of Britain. He then traveled west to join the Mounted Police in Saskatchewan. After training, he worked in remote areas like Cypress Hills. In 1912, he learned his mother was very ill. He bought his release from the police and returned to England to be with her. She passed away the next summer.

Conrad's Military Service in World War I

Map showing the Battle of Mons in 1914.

After his mother's death, Conrad joined The Tipperary Militia in Ireland. This was a special unit of the Royal Irish Regiment. In August 1914, he became a captain. He fought in the Battle of Mons as part of the British forces.

Captured During the Battle of Mons

On the first day of the battle, Conrad was badly hurt. He was captured and became a prisoner of war (POW). He was held in German POW camps. He tried to escape many times, but he was always caught.

He was then moved to a camp called Augustabad. It was thought to be escape-proof. Here, he exchanged letters with his friend Cathleen Mann. He used invisible ink to send secret information. This included details about German troop movements. He even sent information about a new German bomber. Cathleen Mann worked for British intelligence. She quickly sent Conrad's information to important British leaders.

Working for MI6, British Secret Service

Conrad O'Brien-ffrench (center) with Russian diplomat Leonid Krasin (in bowler hat) on their way to London in 1920.

After World War I, Conrad was asked to join MI6, the British Secret Service. This happened in December 1918. He was sent to Stockholm, Sweden, as an assistant military attaché. Conrad had learned to speak Russian fluently while a POW. His job was to gather information from Russian refugees. These refugees were fleeing the Russian Revolution of 1917.

In 1920, Conrad helped a Russian diplomat, Leonid Krasin, travel to London. They had to pass through countries that were against the new Communist government. Krasin was going to meet with British Prime Minister Lloyd George. They discussed bringing back trade with Russia. This meeting was the first time Russian Communist leaders met with the outside world. It led to an important trade agreement in 1921.

After this, the Secret Service faced budget cuts. Conrad left the service and went back to England.

Serving in India

The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) during his visit to India in 1921-1922. Conrad O'Brien-ffrench served as an aide on this tour.

When Conrad returned, he became an aide-de-camp for a British Governor in India. This was for a royal tour by Edward VIII, who was then the Prince of Wales. The tour lasted from December 1921 to April 1922.

During this time, the Indian National Congress led by Gandhi was very active. The royal tour was met with peaceful protests and some riots. The British response to these protests was harsh. This played a part in the end of British rule in India.

Conrad saw discussions about arresting Gandhi. Gandhi had called for peaceful disobedience. He asked people not to pay taxes unless the British stopped interfering with non-violent actions.

Hindus and Muslims collecting clothes to be burnt as part of the non-cooperation movement in 1922.

A violent event happened in Chauri Chaura. A mob attacked a police station, and 22 officers died. Gandhi did not support this violence. He stopped his non-cooperation movement. British officials then arrested Gandhi. Conrad saw how one man's peaceful actions could change things. British control in India eventually ended.

Conrad's Love for Mountaineering

In India, Conrad discovered his passion for mountaineering. He explored the Himalayas. One dangerous climb was in Kashmir. A sudden storm turned the mountain into an icy waterfall. Conrad led his team to safety and to the summit.

He also explored the Austrian Alps and other mountain ranges. He met famous climbers like Sir Edmund Hillary. Conrad became a lifelong member of the Alpine Club in 1933. He loved skiing and rock-climbing in the mountains.

Conrad's Art Career

After returning to England, Conrad explored a career in art. He had painted hunting scenes that were published in a book. This encouraged him to study art. He attended the Slade School of Fine Art and the Byam Shaw School of Art in London. He also studied in Paris at Andre Lhote's Academy.

Conrad became known for his portraits. He traveled to Jamaica with his father to paint. He had exhibitions of his paintings in London, Paris, Jamaica, Canada, and the United States.

Teaching Art

Conrad also taught art. From 1948, he taught at the Banff School of Fine Arts in Canada. He later became president of the Rim Rock School of Fine Art in Colorado. He also served as vice president of the Water Wheel Gallery.

Conrad's Marriages and Family Life

On June 16, 1931, Conrad married Maud Astrid in Paris. She was the daughter of Colonel Bo Tarras-Wahlberg from Sweden. They had a daughter named Christina Laetitia. Their marriage ended in 1934.

Conrad remarried on May 1, 1945, in London. His second wife was Rosalie Isabelle Baker. They moved to Canada and had two sons, Rollo and John.

Return to Secret Service Work

Conrad O'Brien-ffrench in 1935 in Kitzbühel, Austria. He worked for the British Secret Service here. He also spent time with author Ian Fleming.

Conrad became friends with Stewart Menzies, who later led the British Secret Service. Menzies convinced Conrad to rejoin the Secret Service as Agent Z3. Conrad pretended to be a businessman. He started a travel company called Tyrolese Tours. This allowed him to create a spy network in Austria and Southern Germany.

While in Austria, Conrad met Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond books. They often met on ski slopes or at friends' homes. Some believe Conrad's adventures and spy experiences inspired Ian Fleming's character, James Bond.

Reporting on Nazi Activities

Hitler announces the Anschluss in Vienna in 1938.

Conrad gathered important information about Nazi activities. He reported on the build-up of German forces before World War II. On March 11, 1938, he learned that German troops were moving towards the Austrian border. This information was very important.

Conrad immediately called London to report it. He was told this was the first news the Allies received. He continued to get updates. He warned local residents, helping many people escape to safety. The next morning, German troops entered Kitzbühel.

The Gestapo, the Nazi secret police, later created a list of wanted Britons. This was called "The Black Book." Conrad's name was on this list. It said he was a "British Agent, Captain." This showed that his cover as a spy was known. After Austria was taken over by Germany in 1938, Conrad left the intelligence services. During the war, he also worked as a censor in Trinidad.

Life at Fairholme Ranch

After World War II, Conrad and his wife Rosalie moved to British Columbia, Canada. They later bought "Fairholme Ranch" near Banff, Alberta. Conrad designed and helped build a large lodge and a cottage there. They raised their sons, Rollo and John, at the ranch. Conrad also raised horses and taught visual arts at The Banff School of Fine Arts.

In 1958, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon stayed at Fairholme Ranch during her visit to Canada. The ranch offered beautiful views of Princess Margaret Mountain, named in her honor.

Later Years and Legacy

Conrad later lived in West Vancouver and then retired to Colorado. He continued to teach and exhibit his art. He spent his final years painting and giving talks on art, philosophy, and religion.

Biography

Conrad O'Brien-ffrench's autobiography, Delicate Mission, Autobiography of a Secret Agent, is found in many collections, including:

• The Imperial War Museum
• The British Library
• Library and Archives of Canada
• White Museum of the Canadian Rockies
• The Alpine Club Library

See also

• Ian Fleming
• Inspirations for James Bond

Images for kids

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  Map of the Kashmir region showing the Pir Panjal range and the Vale of Kashmir.

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  Bas Glacier d'Arolla, with Petit Mont Collon in the background.

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  Photograph from the Dent de Perroc (Valais CH) taken from Evolène at nightfall.

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  Les Aiguilles de Chamonix in the Mont-Blanc massif, seen from near Lac Blanc.

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  The Sassolungo (Langkofel) from the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm).

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  Monte Sella view from Val Gardena.

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  Marmolata seen from the Pordoijoch, South Tyrol.

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  The Cirque de Gavarnie with the Gavarnie Falls to the left.

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  Monte Corona, a volcano on the Canary Islands.

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  Monte Cinto seen from Refuge de l'Ercu, southeast, Corsica.

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  Mountains in the Asco valley in Haute-Corse.

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  High Riffler from the north, Verwall, Austria.

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  Fluchthorn, seen from the west.

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  Zimba summit, view from the southeast.

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  Panorama of the Venediger group from the Alte Prager Hütte.

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  Arthur Seyss-Inquart and Hitler in Vienna, March 1938.