Mabel Elliott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mabel Elliott
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 9 August 1885 |
| Died | 1 January 1944 (aged 58) |
| Nationality | British |
Mabel Beatrice Elliott MBE (born August 9, 1885 – died January 9, 1944) was a British woman who worked as a censor. A censor is someone who checks letters, books, or other messages to make sure they don't contain secret or forbidden information. Mabel Elliott became famous for finding a German spy during the First World War. She used a secret name, Maud Phillips, for many years to keep her real identity hidden.
Contents
Who Was Mabel Elliott?
Mabel Elliott was born in Walthamstow, Essex, which is now part of London. She went to school in London. Later, she studied in the Netherlands and Belgium. Because of her education, she became very good at speaking French, Dutch, and German. These language skills would later be very important for her work.
Her Secret Job During Wartime
During the First World War, Mabel Elliott worked for the War Office. This was a special government department that managed the British army. She joined a new section called Postal Censorship. Their job was to check mail, especially letters coming from other countries. They looked for any hidden messages or information that could help the enemy.
Uncovering a German Spy
While working as a censor, Mabel Elliott became suspicious about a business letter. At first glance, it looked like a normal letter. However, Mabel thought it might contain a secret message. She was right! The letter had a hidden message written in invisible ink. This message was from a German spy named Anton Küpferle. Finding this message was a big deal for national security.
Her Identity Revealed
For many years, Mabel Elliott's real name and her brave actions were kept secret. When she gave information about the spy, she used the name Maud Phillips. This helped protect her identity. In 2011, the Royal Society of Chemistry found out more details about her important work during the war. They helped to share her story with the public.
Family Connections
After her story became known, people wanted to learn even more about Mabel Elliott. An appeal for information helped to find one of her living family members. Her great-niece, Rosalind Noble, was found. This helped to connect her past actions with her family today.
Mabel Elliott passed away on January 9, 1944.
