Sir Frank Nelson KCMG became the initial head, and the architect of Britain's WW2 clandestine organisation called the Special Operations Executive.
Born into a world of wealth and privilege, during the reign of Queen Victoria, Francis Nelson excelled at private boarding schools in England and Germany, both in his academic achievements and by gaining physical prowess. On completing his education, Nelson chose a career in banking, and through hard work and dedication he left his London base for adventures in the Far East before settling in Bombay during 1911.
It was not long before Frank gained social respect, and also admiration for his financial expertise; he also joined the Bombay Light Horse Volunteer Reserve Force when World War One was declared. After the first world war had ended, Frank Nelson's efforts focussed on India's government and its economic insitutions, and he began working for the British, who controlled that country's budget and administration. He later became a Director of The Bank of India, served as the Chairman of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, and was appointed President of the Associated Chamber of Commerce of India and Ceylon; he was also a member of the Legislative Council of Bombay.
His influence and noted success offered him a wealth of opportunities, and as a partner in the brokerage firm of Symons, Barlow and Company, he sought to capitalise on his position. Frank's achievements in India were quickly acknowledged back home, and in 1924, he returned to England where he received a knighthood, and very soon after became an MP for the Unionist-Conservatives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, remaining in political office until 1931, after which he returned to private business.
During his time in India, it appears that Sir Frank was already working for the British Secret Intelligence Service. Between 1939 - 1940, Nelson worked undercover in Claude Dansey's Z Network, acting as the British Consul in Basle, Switzerland, where he gathered information and created 'safe' routes for people and materials leaving the country. He remained in situ until June 20th, 1940, when he was sent back to England, where he was tasked to create a single 'subversive' force from the amalgamation of three individual units taken from sections of the British secret service.
The Special Operations Executive, as it was called would "co-ordinate, inspire, control and assist the nationals of the oppressed countries who must themselves be the direct participants", stated Lord Halifax the Foreign Secretary.
Small-scale sabotage, propaganda, and resistance against the Nazis could only be achieved with the help of pro-British supporters and embedded S.O.E. agents who would manage these volunteer groups. This secret organisation would subsequently provide training, arms, supplies, and finance, to the resister groups; it would coordinate missions, and create communication links to Britain.
Under extreme difficulties from both within and outside of Whitehall, Sir Frank Nelson slowly built around him a functioning administration, and established a viable covert asset in the war effort. His men would embark on subterfuge and guerrilla warfare operations across occupied Europe and beyond. S.O.E. would also play an important role in the liberation of Europe, especially during the build up to Operation Overlord in 1944.
Nelson himself had left S.O.E. in 1942 due to poor health but was promoted to Air Commodore, and continued his service, working in London, Washington, and in 1945, as the chief of Air Intelligence for the British Control Commission in Detmold, Germany.
Frank was again knighted for his S.O.E. work but as an old man, he felt out of place in a post-war Britain. His fortune, and status had gone; he felt isolated and drifted aimlessly between Monte Carlo and London. During 1950 he attempted suicide and was hospitalised, but a British nurse, half his age, saved him, and a bright new chapter in Frank's