Conrad O'Brien-ffrench

MI6 Following World War I, O'Brien-ffrench was summoned to Whitehall in December 1918 to meet then Colonel Stewart Menzies, who recruited him into MI6. At the time, Menzies reported to Captain Mansfield Smith-Cumming, the first head of the British Secret Service, who was called "C", a designation that remains to the present day. He was posted to the British Legation in Stockholm as assistant military attaché under the command of Major Dymoke Scale. While a POW, O'Brien-ffrench had learned fluent Russian, and was now tasked with gathering information from Russian refugees fleeing the aftermath of the 1917 revolution. This event, the first face-to-face meeting between Russian Communist leadership and the outside world, led to the Anglo-Soviet Trade Agreement of March 1921.

Subsequently, the postwar depression and easing Soviet–British relations caused cutbacks to the Secret Service, and O'Brien-ffrench resigned from the service and returned to England.

India

Upon his return, O'Brien-ffrench was assigned as an aide-de-camp to one of the British Governors for the upcoming Royal tour of India. During this time the Indian National Congress of Gandhi and Nehru was in full swing, and the royal tour was dogged by passive demonstrations and riots. The heavy handed response of the British to this resistance played a part in the end of the British Raj.

In February 1922, Nehru witnessed a meeting requested by the Viceroy of India, Lord Reading (Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading), with the Prince to discuss the possible arrest of Gandhi.

On 4 February 1922, upon learning that the sub-inspector of Chauri Chaura police station assaulted Congress volunteers at Mundera Bazar, an angry mob gathered at the station, demanding explanation from the official.

Gandhi did not support the violent actions, and consequently suspended the non-cooperation movement at its peak. The initial discussion that O'Brien-ffrench witnessed was now a reality: Gandhi had been arrested, tried and jailed, but the results were not as the British intended. O'Brien-ffrench experienced firsthand the transformative influence of one man as he peacefully expressed true character, and soon the control of the British Raj gave way to India's leadership. One of his more dangerous climbs was near Srinagar in the Vale of Kashmir. While climbing the Skoro La Pass, a mountain downpour created dangerous conditions, transforming the rocky cliff his party was ascending into an icy waterfall. A landslide, freezing conditions and dwindling light forced the team to rapidly forge an alternative route. O'Brien-ffrench led the team to safety, and ultimately to the summit.

O'Brien-ffrench explored the Himalayas, Austrian Alps and other ranges, meeting Sir Francis Younghusband, Frank Smythe, Sir John Hunt and Sir Edmund Hillary. When living in Banff, he often rock-climbed and skied in the Lake and Fairhome ranges.

Expeditions Year Mountain Range Expeditions Notes Images 1921 Himalayas, India From Srinagar to Burzil Pass then over Burgi La to Scoro La and near Mango Gusor Guide: H. Tantari 60px Les Aiguilles de Chamonix dans le massif du Mont-Blanc, vues depuis les environs du lac Blanc, massif des Aiguilles Rouges Mt. Arolee (in winter) Guide: Camille Bonnisson 1930Dolomites, Italy Latimer from Col. Canon Rosengarten. Gr. Cront & Pie. Gront. Langkofel (10,436 ft / 3,181 m, Dolomites, Italy) 60px The Sassolungo (Langkofel) from the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) Piz Boè (10,341 ft / 3,152 m, Dolomites, Sella group, Italy) Guide: P. Dawetz 60px Monte Sella view from Val Gardena, at the outmost right side the Sellatürme. Marmolada (10,964 ft / 3,342 m, Dolomites, Italy) 60px Marmolata seen from the Pordoijoch, South Tyrol Corono di Putla Mt. Telegrafo (Cima Telegrafo, 7,238 ft / 2,206 m, Italy) Pusanelle 1931 Haute-Savoie, France Aiguille de Tré-la-Tête (12,894 ft / 3,930 m), to Aiguille de Beranger Col de la Seigne (glacier, Mont Blanc) Col di Sanaorlis Cirque de Gavarnie (central Pyrénées) 60px The Cirque de Gavarnie with the Gavarnie Falls to the left. McCauigon ind the Ridge from Pique de Rongeat to Cime de Pomerol With Mrs. ffrench 1932 Islas Canarias, Lanzarote, Spain Monte Corona (1,985 ft / 605 m, Islas Canarias, Lanzarote, Spain) Volcano on Islas Canarias 60px Monte Cinto seen from Refuge de l'Ercu, southeast, the summit is right to the center, Corsica. Theme to Asco (Haute Asco, valley in the north) 60px Mountains in the Asco valley in Haute-Corse Capu di u Vitullu (4,366 ft / 1,331 m, tallest summit of Les Calenche) With Arthur Richardson Z. 1933 Vorarlberg, Austria Hoher Riffler (10,393 ft / 3,168 m, Verwallgruppe, Tyrol, Austria) Highest peak of Verwallgruppe 60px Zimba summit, view from southeast 1933 Hohe Tauern Range, Austria Schwarz Kopfit Herras. Fritz Peterlitner Hasn Kogel Venediger Group (Hohe Tauern Range, Tyrol, Austria) Climbed many peaks in this range 60px

Art Returning to England and to civilian life, O'Brien-ffrench explored a career in the arts. Years earlier, a hunt secretary had commissioned him to paint a series of hunting scenes that were subsequently published in a book. O'Brien-ffrench worked out of his studio in the Parc Monsouri district and gained an increasing reputation for his portraits.

Exhibitions and collections O'Brien-ffrench had exhibitions in galleries and museums in Europe, Jamaica, Canada and the United States, including the following:

The Claridge Gallery, "Conrad ffrench", London, England, 16–30 October 1930 Loveland Museum and Gallery, "Artistry in Living – The Life of Conrad O'Brien-ffrench", Loveland, Colorado, U.S. 1 August – 19 September 1987. Monivea Artisan Garden Gallery, Exhibit of Paintings by Conrad O'Brien-ffrench, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada. ongoing exhibit

Teaching O'Brien-ffrench taught art at the Banff School of Fine Arts, Banff, Alberta, from 1948; from 1955 he was president of Rim Rock School of Fine Art, Loveland, Colorado; It was here, on the Kitzbühel ski slopes, in local bars and homes of friends, that O'Brien-ffrench and author Ian Fleming spent time together.

O'Brien-ffrench had become a friend of Stewart Menzies, who later (in 1939) was named head of the British Secret Service. He persuaded O'Brien-ffrench to rejoin the Secret Service (now as Agent Z3), and provided him with the cover of businessman. He based himself in Kitzbühel and proceeded to establish a spy network stretching from Austria deep into Southern Germany. While in Kitzbühel, Conrad met Peter Fleming and Ian Fleming, and they often crossed paths at homes of common friends, at bars, on the ski slopes or at the warm-water lake, the Schwarzsee. O'Brien-ffrench's style, athletic endeavours, personal adventures and experience in espionage may have provided Ian Fleming with some of his inspirations for James Bond.

Hitler announces the Anschluss in the Heldenplatz, Vienna, 15 March 1938.

O'Brien-ffrench provided intelligence on Nazi occultism and the build up of German forces in preparation for World War II. It includes the name of French, Marquis de Castelchomond (sic), O'Brien with the notation "brit. Agent, Kapitän." The 112th entry continues with "vermutl. England, RSHA IV E4 Stapoleit München." The RSHA coding system reveals the last of the entry, with "IV E4" meaning "Counter-Intelligence in Scandinavia."

During the war O'Brien-ffrench also served as Imperial censor in Trinidad.

Fairholme Ranch Conrad married Rosalie Isabelle Baker, daughter of Ralph George Baker, on 1 May 1945, in London, England. After World War II Conrad and his wife moved to British Columbia, and purchased waterfront property on Maple Bay, Vancouver Island. Soon they moved again to "Fairholme Ranch," a property located five miles east of Banff, Alberta and within Banff National Park's boundaries. Conrad designed and helped to build a large 14-room lodge and a cottage at Fairholme, where he and Rosie raised their sons, Rollo and John. Conrad settled down to a new life of raising horses and teaching at The Banff School of Fine Arts. Founded in 1933 by Alberta University as a school of theatrical arts, The Banff School of Fine Arts expanded its curriculum and in 1948 Conrad joined the faculty to teach visual arts.

In 1958, HRH Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon took up residence at Fairholme Ranch during her Canadian visit of that year. It provided splendid views of Princess Margaret Mountain named in honour of her visit.

"On 28 July the Princess drove from the ranch house where she was staying, a few miles outside of Banff, to visit the Banff School of Fine Arts, where she saw students from many parts of the Commonwealth at work."

The historic lodge was later carefully disassembled, moved and rebuilt just outside Stony Plain (near Edmonton, Alberta).

Later years Conrad lived in West Vancouver and eventually retired to his chalet in Loveland, Colorado. He taught and exhibited art, living out his years painting and lecturing art, philosophy and theology.

Biography

Delicate Mission, Autobiography of a Secret Agent is 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

Interviews