Wanborough Manor

Sir Algernon West, principal private secretary to prime minister William Gladstone, lived at the house when it was visited by Queen Victoria, who planted a tree in the grounds.

The manor was visited by Otto von Bismarck and Gladstone held cabinet meetings here whilst in his second period of Prime Minister.

The first intake of SOE trainees occurred in February 1941 and this continued until March 1943 when a new selection procedures were established at Winterfold House, near Cranleigh.

During this time they were trained in the skills required to work as undercover agents including unarmed combat and the art of silent killing.

The Anglo-French author, Noreen Riols — then a teenager — who had been a student at the French School or Lycée was amongst those sent to Wanborough to provide vital training and vetting.