Camp-X
Historic Document Surfaces After Sixty Years!
On August ninth 1944, a 'Top Secret' meeting took place
in Toronto which would result in the end of the SOE in Canada. William
Stephenson was summoned to attend the meeting but sent Tommy Drew-Brook
(Canadian Director of The BSC) and Herbert Rowland (his assistant in New
York) in his stead. The 'Most Secret' document has recently been located
and is being shown here for the first time. It is recreated for your convenience
in type below the memo.
Minutes of the Meeting held in the DSD Office (Toronto)
on August 9th, 1944.
1./ "A meeting was held in DSD office, Room 552, Woods
Bldg. at 1030 hours, Wednesday 9 Aug. 44, to discuss the operation of 'Special
25-1-1', with the object of deciding whether or not the obligations
of the Department in regard to this project may be closed out.
2./ "In attendance were:
Colonel L.E. Chesley
Colonel G.B. Ross
Colonel C.L. Laurin
Colonel J.J. Murray
Lt-Col A.L. Sprange
Lt-Col G.W. Ramsay
Lt-Col E.J.U. Morris
Lt-Col R.A. Lashley
Lt-Col R.E. Richardson
Lt-Col N.A. Baird
Major F.J. Justin
Major J.A. Pernell
Captain H.L. Rowland (BSC New York)
Mr. T.G. Drew-Brook (BSC Canada)
3./ "The Chairman outlined the history and purpose of
'Special 25-1-1', at the same time stressing the difficulties, particularly
with respect to administration, which were caused by the extremely confidential
nature of the unit and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to determine
whether or not the original function for which the unit was formed was
still in existence. Furthermore, the Chairman stated that it was advisable
that the administrative difficulties which in the past have been encountered
by AG Branch in accounting for Canadian personnel be clarified.
4./ "The Chairman stated that it was proposed to consider
'Special 25-1-1' in four phases:
(a) The move of a group of personnel to Australia, together
with any necessary arrangements which must be made for the move.
(b) The extent to which 'Special 25-1-1' has ceased
to function and can be terminated.
(c) The extent to which continued co-operation with British
Security Co-ordination is required on the part of MDHQ.
(d) Any action which should be taken with respect to continuing
'Special 25-1-1'.
5./ "The meeting proceeded to consider phase one, the
move of 2 officers and 12 other ranks during the latter part of September
from Pacific Command to Australia........................."
And thus in September of 1944, SOE and Camp-X parted company.