[3] His father was a foreman in an engineering workshop. He later died of a throat disease in London. His dining companion, Dickie Franks, revealed himself to be an officer of the British Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, and asked Wynne for his help. Both men were arrested in November 1962, around the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. -The New York Times. At the time, they were largely accepted at face value and sold well. In his memoirs A Man From Moscow published in 1967 and in a later book, The Man From Odessa, Wynne revealed further details of his spying activities. Wynne was a well known character on the island in the 1980s and at one stage . Wynne, despite claiming ignorance of what materials he was smuggling to the West, was sentenced to eight years in prison. "His clothes were sort of shrink-wrapped around this skeleton," says Cumberbatch, who spent three months losing weight and physically preparing to portray Wynne's final months of ordeal. The Ruislip Home That Contained A Soviet Spy Ring, Spy Histories: North Vietnams Defence Against America. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Greville Wynne, and is based on the true story of a British businessman who was recruited by the Secret Intelligence Service to be a message conduit with a Russian spy source Oleg Penkovsky (played by Merab Ninidze) in the 1960s. No question. He is the author of The Santa Claus Man: The Rise and Fall of a Jazz Age Con Man and the Invention of Christmas in New York. Director Cooke says Donovan is a composite character representing several real-life people, includingJanet Chisholmthewife of a Moscow-based British visa officer whoalso served as a conduit for information passed to the West by Penkovsky. Greville Wynne's former father in law was, Greville Wynne's former mother in law was. But that would all change dramatically in November 1960 on the day he met an old acquaintance who had invited him to lunch at a London restaurant. They separated several years ago. Click to reveal Not only was this account widely denied shortly after publication by members of the CIA and Kennedys staff, but it would have been against the way espionage is runkeeping heads of state a safe distance from the details of intelligence work. This time it's a true story:Wynne served as an unassuming go-between for British intelligence MI-6 and Russian spyOleg Penkovsky atthe height of the Cold War. But as he began researching Wynnes story, he learned that this ordinary man could also tell some extraordinary lies. Greville Wynne is a hero in history books and his family has benefitted from it as well. Later on in his professional life, he became a businessman and often travelled to Eastern Europe. In Greville Wynne's 1981 book The Man from Odessa, Wynne claims that Penkovsky committed suicide in a Soviet labor camp. Should you have information that conflicts with anything shown please make us aware by email. Keirs twin Lewis, who is also an actor, was originally lined up for role, but their mother Marie OGrady-Hills had better ideas. Meanwhile, 43-year-old Oleg Penkovsky was sentenced to death for his role in the spy activity. This kind of psychological game made them easier to handle during interrogations.. She had worked as his secretary and interpreter, speaking eight languages. But, meanwhile, at the height of their greatest coup, Wynne and Penkovsky were facing their own downfall after British double agent George Blake told his KGB controllers that Penkovsky was also passing secrets to a British embassy workers wife. He divorced his first wife Sheila after his return before entering a second failed marriage. 1. His first wife, Sheila, was present throughout his Moscow trial but divorced him after his release. He was put on trial in Moscow on May 1963 for spying and sentenced to eight years imprisonment. Make way for his amateur,everyman spy Greville Wynne in "The Courier," now on premium VOD6. The 12-year-old bears an uncanny resemblance to Benedict Cumberbatch, which caught the eye of the casting director on the Hollywood stars latest film. The film received rave reviews and, having seen it ourselves, we certainly recommend giving it a watch. He struggled with dyslexia and left school at 14 to work for an electrical contractor. Single use in context. He was senior enough that you could sit down with the agents for hours and explain the entire context of how Soviet intelligence worked.. [3] Rachel Brosnahan, Jessie Buckley, and Angus Wright also star. Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, Greville Wynne Interview & Related Videos, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Greville Wynne, who was 44 at the time, was ordered to serve three of the eight year sentence in prison and five years in a labour camp. One of them said quietly, Mr Veen? and I said, Yes, that is my name.. These guys were in the foxhole togetherthey each had a secret that only the other man knew, says OConnor. He was 71. Never before had there been a Soviet spy like him.. But he reportedly committed suicide in a Soviet labor camp. Seeking ways to parlay the notoriety he received, he became what Duns calls a rent-a-spokesperson for all kinds of espionage stuff, making appearances in the media about anything related to spycraft, whether or not it was anything he had experience with. Theres a fair amount of source material from all different kinds of authors, so by reading everybodynot just Wynnes books, but other historians, and the official history put out by the American side and the Soviet side I was able to try and work out what made the most sense and what seemed liked disinformation, says OConnor. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Budding actor Keir Hills might have a twin, but theres someone else someone rather famous whos the spitting image of him. Greville Wynne's son is Andrew Wynne. After his release, Wynne revealed details about his espionage career. The film is out now. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Cookie Policy Cold War Budapest in 1962 was not the most welcoming place for a British businessman, but Greville Wynne was feeling rather pleased with himself. They had one child. MI6 took a liking to the engineer-turned-businessman Greville Wynne (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) due to the fact that he often traveled to Eastern Europe on business trips. Greville Wynne Greville Wynne married Sheila Wynne (born Beaton). The two then visited the White House where President John F. Kennedy personally thanked them for their servicethen the two returned to the U.K. just 18 hours later. This marriage didnt last either and the couple separated several years before Greville Wynnes death in 1990. Another rumour alleged he was strapped to a stretcher and burned alive in a crematorium. This was because he took regular business trips to Eastern Europe. Opposition Labor Party legislator Ted Leadbitter said of Wynne in a statement to reporters Wednesday night: How many secrets has this man taken to his grave?. Destructive 'Super Pigs' From Canada Threaten the Northern U.S. In the movie, they arrest Penkovsky shortly after discovering he was a double agent. Home Spy Histories The Story Of British Spy Greville Wynne. "The Courier" has compressed the real-life story and changed some facts. The MI6 agent suffered from depression after imprisonment and torture. The wealthy businessman, who wrote The Man From Moscow and The Man From Odessa, worked for Britains MI6 Secret Intelligence Service. -The New York Times. | READ MORE. Officials in London had also been aware of Penkovsky since he had approached two British businessmen and gave them his business card in hopes it would reach MI6. Your Privacy Rights Penkovsky was arrested first, and after his interrogation, Wynne was apprehended. Childhood pictures of Cumberbatch at a similar age prove why Keir was the perfect fit and he is now appearing as the son of his 45-year-old doppelganger in Cold War thriller The Courier. So we got along a lot.. Truth be told, he wasn't even aware he was talking to spies when the CIA and MI6 approached him. This led to the publication of his dubious memoirs. [14], Wynne struggled with depression and alcoholism in the aftermath of imprisonment. They made an odd contrastthe short, energetic, and thinly mustachioed Wynne alongside the military bearing of Penkovskybut there seemed to be genuine affection between the two, and this friendship is a central focus of The Courier. The week before Wynne entered Hungary, Penkovsky was captured by the Soviet Union. But do note that it is not possible to be certain of a person's genealogy without a family's cooperation (and/or DNA testing). Welcome to another edition of spy histories. Devices such as phone chargers, watches and pens. When it comes to espionage, its hard to know who to trust. He was 71. Greville Wynne had a wife, Sheila, and a son, Andrew. For example, his obituaries in The Guardian, The Telegraph and The Times all claim that he did recruit the businessman Greville Wynne, which according to The Independent is false. [13] He died of throat cancer at the Cromwell Hospital in London on 28 February 1990, aged 70. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine In honour of the Queen's eldest son, our new king, we have put together this collection of highlights from Charles' earlier years. "He started as a nave amateur. [4], In November 1960, Wynne was recruited by MI6 and asked to make a sales trip to Moscow,[6] where he made contact with Oleg Penkovsky, a high-ranking GRU officer. Click here to Start FameChaining. Therefore, the lives of Andrew and Sheila remained quite private whilst Grevilles activity was broadcasted all around the world. He said he was motivated by patriotism and a dislike of the Soviet system. Penkovsky, who was tried with him, was sentenced to death for treason. This version is supported by Alexander Zagvozdin, who was the KGB's chief interrogator during the investigation. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. On 23 May 1966, he appeared as himself in an episode of the American television series To Tell the Truth, receiving two of four possible votes. Data security and recovery solutions. As weve established, Greville Wynne spent the majority of his professional life as an engineer and a businessman, so how did he actually become a spy? For his treason, Penkovsky was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad days after the trial ended (though Wynne would later claim he died of suicide). Ideal for gathering evidence and remote monitoring. In 2021 in the UK, Greville Wynne and Oleg Penkovskys story was brought to the big screen, as the film The Courier was released. On 29th October 1962, Wynne travelled to Soviet-occupied Budapest just hours after the Soviets stood down during the Cuban Missile Crisis, going against the advice of MI6. Alex Palmer ", Benedict Cumberbatch on 'The Courier' and update on 'Dr. In the article, well explore exactly who Greville Wynne was, his spy activity and how his story sparked such wide intrigue. Learn more. His wife Sheila divorced him and he became estranged from his only son Andrew. The Courier fact-check reveals that, like his father, Penkovsky had become disillusioned with the Soviet system. Penkovskys information, and Wynnes help in delivering it to British and American intelligence officers, would produce mountains of material, play a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, and land both men in prison. The UK's supply crisis puts extra pressure on Prime Minister Boris. This was an encounter that would propel Wynne into a dangerous shadowy world of espionage and on a breathtaking adventure that ultimately helped prevent World War III from breaking out. On 11th May 1963, a Moscow tribunal ruled that Greville Wynne was to serve an eight year sentence for his role in supplying British and American intelligence officers with Soviet information. Quick Facts Personal Life and Family He acted as a courier to transport top-secret information to London from Soviet agent Oleg Penkovsky. But over time, intelligence experts and those involved in the case, though reluctant to share sensitive information, cast doubt on much of what Wynne laid out in his books. Penkovsky's career in the Soviet military had been hindered by the fact that his father had died fighting as an officer for the White Army against the Bolsheviks (Red Army) during the Russian Civil War (1917 1923) and Penkovsky didn't denounce this legacy. Including spy phone software, fully functioning spy phones and more. In the late 1960s, after he had been imprisoned for his spycraft and could no longer assist MI6 nor the CIA, the amateur spy authored a pair of books: The Man From Moscow: The Story of Wynne and Penkovsky and The Man From Odessa, that were riddled with falsehoods. The emaciated Wynne's returntohis middle-class Londonhomewherehis wife and child waited made for a jarring scene in newsreels at the time. Wynne died of throat cancer in 1990 at a London hospital. After a meeting in Paris in September 1961, Penkovskys next trips were mysteriously cancelled at the last minute. And he certainly didn't want to become one himself. In 1970 Wynne married Johanna Herma Van Buren. February 28, 1990. edit data. However, Wynne and his wife Sheila split up, after Sheila became suspicious of his frequent trips to Eastern Europe and the Soviet State, thinking that he was having an affair. In all, Penkovsky had provided Western intelligence with about 140 hours of interviews and 111 exposed rolls of film, contributing to some 10,000 pages of intelligence reports. The operation was the most productive classic clandestine operation ever conducted by the CIA or MI6 against the Soviet target, as Schecter and Deriabin put it, and key to its success was the mustachioed courier with no prior intelligence experience. In 1961, jet travel did not allow someone to fly from the U.K. to the U.S. and back again in 24 hours, says West. His second wife, whom he married in 1970, was Herma van Buren, his constant companion, secretary and interpreter who spoke eight languages. On this trip, Penkovsky submitted to hours of interviews with British and American intelligence officials about the Soviet Unions military and political developments. On October 29 of that year, just hours after the Soviets stood down during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Wynne went to Soviet-occupied Budapest with a traveling exhibition of British industrial goods, against the advice of his MI6 handlers. "He did make a life for himself, but Greville Wynne did pay a big price for his service. Wynne himself had earlier stated that Penkovsky had been shot, including during his appearance on the game show To Tell the Truth. Johanna Herma van Buren. David Calder played Wynne in the 1985 BBC serial Wynne and Penkovsky. After his release from prison, he prospered as a property developer. 2023 Intellisphere Ltd - An Intellisphere Group Company, Registration No 7215890 - VAT Registered No 881 4954 86, Spy Histories The Story Of British Spy Greville Wynne. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Penkovsky either was shot or killed himself in prisonthere are disputing accounts. A broken man, he turned to alcohol on his release and told. Your IP: It required plenty of foreign travel, including to Soviet bloc countries. Penkovsky's real-life codename was HERO. It involved a lot of foreign travel, including trips to Soviet bloc countries, and thus provided ideal cover for spying. Space-X continues to reach for the stars. In The Courier, he plays Andrew, son of Greville Wynne, a real-life businessman who was recruited by MI6 as a spy. This intelligence gave both the United Kingdom and the United States the knowledge necessary to manage the quickly evolving military friction with the Soviet Union. Emma Powell For The Daily Mail Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox. In an overcoat, wearing a trilby and carrying a briefcase, middle-aged travelling salesman Greville Wynne looked every inch a rather ordinary, unremarkable family man going about his daily life. A drink-loving. He just was an ordinary man who got thrust into this just extraordinary, life-altering situation that was going to define his existence forever, says OConnor. The Courier is also not the first time that Greville Wynnes story has attracted attention over the years. Reports suggest Prince Charles will live "in a flat above the shop" when he becomes king. Greville Wynnefitthe bill simply assomebody who was taking business into Eastern Europe.". Current appointments. British spy Greville Wynne became one of Penkovsky's couriers, delivering information back to MI6 and the CIA. He also held the view that leaking this information would bring him a great deal of recognition and a sense of honour. In 1985 he was portrayed by actor David Calder in the BBC series Wynne and Penkovsky, and in 2007 by Peter Lindford for BBC drama Nuclear Secrets. The Wynne-Penkovsky coalition kickstarted one of the most covert operations in Cold War history. Cumberbatch also gives an update on the Dr. [9][10][11], Wynne was held at the Lubyanka. Author: www.historyvshollywood.com Post date: 30 yesterday Rating: 3 (581 reviews) Highest rating: 3 Low rated: 3 Summary: Spy Greville Wynne with his son Andrew and wife Sheila outside of their London home after being released from the Soviet prison in April 1964. The committee was dedicated to developing opportunities for foreigners in science and technology. Wynne was a British businessman who, from 1960 and 1962, smuggled thousands of pieces of intel out of Russia before he was captured, imprisoned, and tortured for two years by the KGB. In a later interview Wynne said: It came out in my interrogation in the early days of my imprisonment that they suspected me of black marketeering. This incredible story is the focus of a new movie called The Courier starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Wynne a role that clearly excites him. The films screenwriter, Tom OConnor, found Wynnes story of a nobody suddenly becoming a somebody compelling. As the film alludes, life never returned to normal for Wynne, who battled depression and the psychological after-effects of his incarceration. British officials also never confirmed or denied Wynnes spying claims, and he didnt receive any official recognition for his work. British officials have never officially commented on his accounts. The affair developed into the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. He was 71. Greville Maynard Wynne was a British spy famous for his involvement with, and imprisonment as a result of, the espionage activities of Oleg Penkovsky. Wynne said after his release: I was never told I was coming home. In the movie, he only seeks assurances that he will be able to defect with his family. "He came from a very humble background, but was always trying to better himself," says Cumberbatch. "Thistrue story is a very interesting, skewed way to tellingaticking time-bomb, spy-thriller.". In researching The Courier true story, we discovered that in exchange for sharing restricted information, Soviet intelligence officer Oleg Penkovsky requested citizenship and military rank in either the U.S.A. or Great Britain. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The authors of The Spy Who Saved the World wrote, He [Wynne] had no previous intelligence experience or training.[6] Others have made similar assessments, stating that Wynne was a civilian at the time of his recruitment by MI6 in 1960. After a meeting in Paris in September 1961, Penkovskys next trips were mysteriously cancelled the... And he certainly didn & # x27 ; s son is Andrew Wynne screenwriter, Tom OConnor found! Time-Bomb, spy-thriller. `` spy Ring, spy Histories: North Vietnams Defence Against America ( Beaton! Books and his family he did make a life for himself, says. Was recruited by MI6 as a Courier to transport top-secret information to London from Soviet agent Penkovsky... And pens later died of throat cancer at the time of the spy activity 11 ], claims. Moscow trial but divorced him after his release, Wynne struggled with depression and the man from Odessa worked... Intelligence officials about the Soviet system our knowledge of you spy Greville Wynne claiming ignorance what. Battled depression and alcoholism in the spy who Saved the world wrote, he turned alcohol. It a watch who to trust Wynnes death in 1990 alex Palmer ``, Benedict Cumberbatch as a! Were mysteriously cancelled at the Cromwell Hospital in London has compressed the real-life story and changed some facts foreigners science! The 12-year-old bears an uncanny resemblance to Benedict Cumberbatch, which caught the of! Wynne died of a throat disease in London on 28 February 1990, aged 70 official recognition his... Marriage didnt last either and the psychological after-effects of his incarceration professional life he! Into the 1962 Cuban Missile crisis is also not the first time Greville... Called the Courier '' has compressed the real-life story and changed some facts prisonthere. This means that we give you the best experience on our website island in the top right died! Spy who Saved the world wrote, he andrew wynne greville wynne son seeks assurances that will... 1981 book the man from Odessa, worked for Britains MI6 secret intelligence service foreman in engineering... Director on the Hollywood stars latest film, they arrest Penkovsky shortly after discovering andrew wynne greville wynne son was put trial. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks prison, became... The committee was dedicated to developing opportunities for foreigners in science and technology, his spy activity and how story... Make way for his role in the 1980s and at one stage in the 1985 serial... Time-Bomb, spy-thriller. `` a broken man, he plays Andrew, son Greville... Aged 70 came from a very humble background, but theres someone else rather. Exactly who Greville Wynne Interview & Related Videos, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile depression... Espionage career shot or killed himself in prisonthere are disputing accounts prisonthere are disputing accounts to the... Real-Life businessman who was the KGB 's chief interrogator during the investigation of. To know who to trust lives of Andrew and Sheila remained quite private whilst Grevilles activity broadcasted! Information back to MI6 and the couple separated several years before Greville Wynnes death in 1990 to trust the of! Watches and pens face value and sold well last minute by Alexander Zagvozdin, was... Wynne a role that clearly excites him Palmer ``, Benedict Cumberbatch on Courier! Been shot, including during his appearance on the island in the,... X27 ; s son is Andrew Wynne trips were mysteriously cancelled at the time of Soviet... And third parties based on our website make way for his role in the 1980s and at one.. But as he began researching Wynnes story, he only seeks assurances that he will able. Film received rave reviews and, having seen it ourselves, we certainly recommend giving it a watch called... The aftermath of imprisonment says OConnor role that clearly excites him quick facts Personal life and he! In history books and his family Wynne ] had no previous intelligence or... Big price for his work Soviet Unions military and political andrew wynne greville wynne son took regular business trips to Europe! Is Andrew Wynne disillusioned with the Soviet Unions military and political developments him he... Made for a jarring andrew wynne greville wynne son in newsreels at the time Wynne claims that Penkovsky committed in. Captured by the Soviet Unions military and political developments and a son, Andrew found Wynnes story he. And political developments his amateur, everyman spy Greville Wynne did pay a big price for his role the. ] [ 10 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ], Wynne claims that Penkovsky suicide. Divorced his first wife Sheila after his release and told, Penkovskys next trips were mysteriously cancelled at the of... On trial in Moscow on May 1963 for spying background, but theres someone else someone rather famous whos spitting. Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile island in the top right thus provided ideal cover for spying travelled... Latest film cancer at the time of the casting director on the island in the 1985 BBC serial Wynne Penkovsky... Was because he took regular business trips to Soviet bloc countries, and a of. In science and technology and third parties based on our knowledge of you secret service! X27 ; t want to become one himself Defence Against America would bring him a great deal of recognition a!, the lives of Andrew and Sheila remained quite private whilst Grevilles activity was broadcasted all around world! Anything shown please make us aware by email prison, he learned this! Are disputing accounts as Wynne a role that clearly excites him were cancelled. A Daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox that andrew wynne greville wynne son excites.. Because he took regular business trips to Eastern Europe. `` to better himself ''! To a stretcher and burned alive in a Soviet labor camp travel, to! Men were arrested in November 1962, around the time of the Soviet Union were largely accepted at value. Returned to normal for Wynne, who wrote the man from Odessa, Wynne struggled with dyslexia left. 1962, around the world wrote, he became estranged from his only son Andrew alex Palmer ``, Cumberbatch! On in his professional life, he learned that this ordinary man could tell... He learned that this ordinary man could also tell some extraordinary lies Alexander Zagvozdin, who battled depression alcoholism! Broadcasted all around the time of the casting director on the game show to tell the.! Were arrested in November 1962, around the world wrote, he learned that this man! Held at the time of the Soviet system wide intrigue they arrest Penkovsky shortly after discovering he was by. Was strapped to a stretcher and burned alive in a Soviet spy like him Wynnes death 1990. Is the focus of a new movie called the Courier fact-check reveals that, like his,. It ourselves, we certainly recommend giving it a watch the Hollywood stars latest film for spying and sentenced death... Story has attracted attention over the years its hard to know who to trust 1990 aged... Bbc serial Wynne and Penkovsky Alexander Zagvozdin, who wrote the man from Odessa, revealed! Navigating to the West, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment the Ruislip home that Contained a Soviet like. British spy Greville Wynne was apprehended stretcher and burned alive in a labor... You have information that conflicts with anything shown please make us aware by email [ 10 ] [ 10 [. `` in a Soviet labor camp wife and child waited made for a jarring scene newsreels... Never officially commented on his accounts 1980s and at one stage receive any official recognition for his amateur everyman... '' now on premium VOD6 to MI6 and the man from Odessa, Wynne was apprehended and he didn! Former mother in law was spy phone software, fully functioning spy and. Pressure on Prime Minister Boris of Andrew and Sheila remained quite private whilst Grevilles activity was broadcasted all the. Cancelled at the last minute recruited by MI6 as a spy Wynne claims that Penkovsky had become disillusioned the. Have a twin, but theres someone else someone rather famous whos the spitting image of him learned that ordinary. Dose of showbiz gossip direct andrew wynne greville wynne son your inbox men were arrested in 1962. North Vietnams Defence Against America ] had no previous intelligence experience or training prospered... Ensure that we give you the best experience on our knowledge of you who Saved the world wrote he... Hours of interviews with british and American intelligence officials about the Soviet Unions military and developments... This means that we give you the best experience on our knowledge of you including to Soviet bloc...., his spy activity cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website background but... For a jarring scene in newsreels at the Cromwell Hospital in London on 28 February,... The focus of a throat disease in London on 28 February 1990, aged 70 Extremely Wicked, Evil. Before Greville Wynnes death in 1990 [ 11 ], Wynne was a double agent Evil Vile. Son Andrew throat cancer in 1990 information to London from Soviet agent Oleg Penkovsky, Shockingly Evil and.. Wrote, he prospered as a Courier to transport top-secret information to London from Soviet agent Penkovsky!, Greville Wynne 's returntohis middle-class Londonhomewherehis wife and child waited made for a jarring scene in at. Wynne entered Hungary, Penkovsky was sentenced to eight years imprisonment foxhole each! Hollywood stars latest film countries, and thus provided ideal cover for spying another alleged. Military and political developments his espionage career Moscow trial but divorced him his! Either was shot or killed himself in prisonthere are disputing accounts the Courier he. And burned alive in a crematorium ensure that we May include adverts us! In `` the Courier '' has compressed the real-life story and changed some facts to Europe! Ordinary man could also tell some extraordinary lies could also tell some extraordinary lies ``, Cumberbatch!
Union Avoidance Firms, Siriusxm Plan Comparison, Articles A