AN INTERVIEW WITH GEOFFREY PIDGEON

Ria Manvatkar

Last May, I had the pleasure of interviewing Geoffrey Pidgeon, an Old Cat who was a student at Caterham from 1936 to 1940 and went on to work for MI6 during WW2. We could not know at the time that this would be Geoffrey’s last interview for the magazine as he very sadly passed away in August. This makes the interview extremely valuable and poignant for the whole ‘Cat Among the Pigeons’ team, as well as the wider school community. Geoffrey’s legacy at Caterham is indelible in the form of the Geoffrey Pidgeon Prize for Literature and this magazine, which takes both its title and its inspiration from him. In our interview we discussed the subject of creativity and its relevance to young people today. He also reflected on his career, in particular his role in MI6, and later the experience of working in his family’s business. Finally, he fondly expressed what he was most proud of in his life – or what is wrong with the word proud! This was a wonderful experience and I feel incredibly grateful that I was able to meet Geoffrey, a man who lived an extraordinary life.

WHY DID YOU WANT CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS AND THE GEOFFREY PIDGEON PRIZE FOR LITERATURE TO BE CREATED?

I hoped that ‘Cat Among the Pigeons’ would spark one into allowing the ‘creativity’ that is in all of us – however latent – to come to the fore. Increasingly, I see people using various aids like one’s mobile phone or laptop, for playing games, social networking etc. and that’s fine but it is not a creative. I also fear that books – per se – now so widely available on these aids are not being routinely read. These ‘tools’ could also be used to record cultural, or political events; the ‘pool’ is vast. Do not even rule out writing a more fulsome diary that might be useful one day - but perhaps check on the security of your password first! Taking it one step further, there is nothing to stop you writing, for instance, your family’s history and when you start, you will find you will want to dig even further back. Once you embark on that road you will soon find other subjects to write about. Although by then you may be studying or working - you will find that an hour on ‘your book’ will be far more relaxing than watching the News! My prize is actually for Literature and Art. I believe art is an important part of the creative ability that is in all of us. You just have to let it surface - even if only for your own amusement.

HOW DO YOU CONTINUE BEING CREATIVE THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?

Well, it’s very important to keep your brain active and I have tried doing that since I can remember. Obviously, one had to keep very alert during the war especially perhaps being in MI6! However, after the war I wanted to return to Caterham with my young family hoping that they would follow my brother and me into Caterham School. We lived in Chelsea, and I purchased a plot of land on the corner of Harestone Hill and Grange Road and there I designed and built a bungalow. Every single detail was planned and drawn to scale – and that for a novice was perhaps being creative?

HOW DID YOU GET INTO MI6?

Around the time of Dunkirk, my father was recruited into MI6 (Section VIII) at Whaddon Hall some five miles west of Bletchley Park. Whaddon Village was where all the ULTRA traffic was disseminated to our Military Commanders in the Field. In August 1940 our house in Caterham was damaged during the raid on Kenley airfield so my mother took us to join Father. I had a year or so at school locally and one of my hobbies was model-making long before ‘kits’ appeared. My father took my model of HMS Nelson to show his pals at Whaddon Hall. One of them was Lieut. Cmdr. Percy Cooper, Head of the department, making agent sets. Father was told ‘your son has just the sort of skills we are looking for, would he like to join the team?’ So, I did and became the youngest ever in MI6 and quickly moved into many parts of its communication field.

WHAT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN SKILLS YOU GOT OUT OF BEING IN MI6?

The same thing I learned at Caterham - self-confidence. You’re so often on your own. There are many times when you have to make an important/vital decision and you can fall back on the strength of character that I believe Caterham gives you. I said the same thing to the ‘Old Cat’s’ Magazine, Omnia recently. I was asked what does Caterham give you? I replied I don’t like ‘Je ne sais quoi’ but it does give you self-confidence that should last you through life’s roller coaster! Pupils should leave Caterham very selfassured. No matter what the challenge they will rise to it. Even now that I am 95, when problem arise – and they do – I still manage. Thank you Caterham!

WHAT’S YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT, & WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM IT?

Well, my family I suppose. I have three very good sons. Also, although I am not ‘proud,’ I am pleased I have written several books. ‘The Secret Wireless War’ is regarded in some quarters as the definitive book on the subject. I don’t often use the word ‘proud’ usually ‘pleased’ is better. So perhaps, I can say looking back, I am pleased with my life, but I am truly proud of my sons. So I don’t mind applying it to them. However, I must add a sixty-eight-year marriage to my late lovely wife Jane so on reflection, perhaps the list of things I am ‘proud of’ might get a little longer?

Annual Publication of the Humanities & Arts featuring the winner of the Pidgeon Prize for Literature

CAT

AMONG THE PIGEONS

2020 ISSUE