I have read of DW's wartime deception work, but have only recently read of his involvement in the "I was Monty's Double" deception. I have a similar story in my family concerning a rather less professional deception starring my "Uncle Jim".
Sergeant Major James Welch was my mothers cousin. In their old age they shared a house until he died a couple of years ago aged 95. I cared for him after he had a stroke and sat with him most days talking to keep his mind active. He couldn't remember what he had for breakfast but his mind was still razor sharp about his fascinating wartime experiences.
He was a WO2 engineer in R.E.M.E. and while waiting in London for a posting he was called to the Home Office one day. He was a distinguished looking man, well spoken, Tory, Freemason, and he also had a passing resemblance to Sir Stafford Cripps.!! He was given some civvy clothees, a briefcase, and an escort, and put on a plane to Lisbon. He was told he was to be introduced as Sir Stafford Cripps, and to wander about with his escort to ensure he was noticed. At Lisbon he was then put on another plane to Egypt unaccompanied. Unfortunately nobody told Egypt he was coming, and so on arrival he was thrown in jail. He was released after five days and joined a regiment in Egypt for the rest of the war. His part was never acknowledged or rewarded. I often wonder if this was another of DW's tricks that we never heard of?
I will try to find a couple of pictures to show the similarity when I can.
I was Stafford Cripps double!! A DW deception??
As Julian Day was written in 1939, I doubt he got the story from my uncle! It's just that as DW was involved in most deception I think he could have been behind this one. Why Stafford Cripps needed to be seen out of the country I have no idea? When I post pictures you will see the resemblance. Also being arrested at the Egyptian airport was hardly part of the master plan