Secretary whose fake love letters helped fool the Nazis

The object of Hester's affections was Valdemar Bertie Caroe, known to her as Val. Their anniversary is noted in Hester's diary - their relationship began on November 25, 1939.

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She wrote to him frequently when he was posted in Northern Ireland, and later in France. In one letter she wrote: “I do hope you have enough warm things with you. Let me know if I can get anything for you, or if you would like me to knit you another sweater.” When he was ill, she sent: “How is your cold, darling my dear?

“I do wish I could look after you.”

But her love story, like the fictional Pam's, did not end happily. Val had been married to another woman since 1926.

The exact nature of Val and Hester's relationship is unclear. If they were a secret at all, they were an incredibly open one.