Ingram, Mary Isabella: my MI5 and Ministry of Economic Warfare recollections (July 14 - August 9, 1983)
An interview/narrative of Mary Isabella Ingram's experiences during World War II. Miss Ingram served with the British Military Intelligence, MI5, Special Operations Executive, Force 136 and the Ministry of Economic Warfare. Interview took place on July 14, 19 and August 9, 1983.
Interviewer: Bell, Chris
Interviewee: Ingram, Mary Isabella, b. 1908
ABSTRACT: Miss Mary Isabella Ingram British Military Intelligence, MI5 Special Operations Executive, Force 136 Ministry of Economic Warfare Ingram_M_0178_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Born on July 29, 1908 in London, Eng. Her family had been connected with the Indian Civil Service and the army since 1816 and some had risen to high rank. Her mother had been an inspector of Indian schools and her father a chartered accountant with the Indian railways. As a child she had a series of governesses (45:00) Ingram_M_0178_02.mp3 and in 1919, during a period of great unrest in India, when the family returned to England on leave, she was sent to Cheltenham School. Recounts many experiences of school and family. (45:00) Ingram_M_0178_03.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) Returned to Lahore. Describes the social life, parties, dances, etc. of the higher levels of society in British India. Comments on the eight or nine servants required by a normal English family: cook, footman, water carrier, gardener, sweeper, and others. At Simla, in the summer, they all used heavy rickshaws which were both pushed and pulled by "coolies" dressed in livery. Experiences with Lord and Lady Willingdon, former Governor General of Canada. Visits to the vice-regal lodge. Ballroom scenes, brilliant dress of the guests, both Indian and British. An invitation to dinner was a major affair, perhaps ninety guests at one long table. Anecdotes of social life during the British Raj. Some detail about her former polo pony, "Timothy". (45:00) Ingram_M_0178_04.mp3 Describes her stepfather, a senior engineer with the Indian government. Visits the Maharaja's palace of great luxury, including the elephant stables. Customs of Indian royalty. (30:00) Became a member of St. John's Ambulance. Offers some detail of nursing experiences. Ingram_M_0178_05.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Returned to England after her stepfather died. On Dec. 23, 1938 she and her mother moved to Singapore after she obtained leave from her position with the Church of England Pension Board. In Singapore she became personal assistant to the Defense Security Officer (MI5, MI6). Was privy to all local and services intelligence reports. Comments on social life in Singapore, native servants, living conditions. "Mr. Smith" and the case of false arrest. Japanese consulate affair. When war with Japan began she experienced air raids. (30:00) After being advised that the intelligence service had found her name on a Japanese "blacklist" she arranged that, in the event of a Japanese victory, she and her mother were to be shot. Told that they must both leave Singapore, which they both did, a week before the fall, in Feb. 1942. Details of the confusion during the evacuation. (45:00) Ingram_M_0178_06.mp3 Comments on the duties and the staff of MI5 in Singapore. Placed aboard a small, dirty, and very crowded French vessel in which they came under air attack as they left Singapore. Finally they reached Bombay; a tremendous relief to be among friends ashore. Through the latter she managed to obtain a job with the Ministry of Economic Warfare in Apr. 1942. Defines the work of the S.O.E. Seconded to General Headquarters, Delhi. (35:00) Ingram_M_0178_07.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2) Association with the Indian Communist Party. Borrowed an aircraft from the R.A.F. Codes and ciphers. Account of her small part in the attack on Portuguese Goa. Life in Meerut. Seconded to the political section of the Foreign Office to assist in the repatriation of civilian internees in Singapore. (30:00) Comments on Lord Louis Mountbatten. In spring 1946 obtained an administrative position in Kashmir. (45:00) Ingram_M_0178_08.mp3 Returns to a description of New Delhi, roads, major buildings. A thought on the Indian National Army, a puppet organization encouraged by the Japanese. Ghandi, with whom she was not entirely favourably impressed, civil disobedience, telephone disruptions. Ingram_M_0178_09.mp3 General discussion on racial relationships in Canada as well as in India. (26:00)
- In Collection:
- 9 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- Two original sound tape reels (ca. 330 in.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 5 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- IMI_178
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- April 1, 2009
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by KG, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
