Dick Franks
Secret Intelligence Service (SIS/MI6) | |
|---|---|
| Rank | Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service |
Sir Arthur Temple "Dick" Franks
Career
Educated at
He started his career by "earning a reputation for daring military exploits against Nazi Germany before pursuing a fruitful career on Her Majesty’s secret service."[3]
After the War he briefly worked for the
As Chief, Franks was forced to contend with budget cuts, which he accepted for fear that SIS would otherwise be merged with the Security Service.[5][2] One of the consequences of these cuts was the virtual closure of the MI6 station in Tehran – and the sole remaining officer was forbidden from operating out of the British Embassy by Ambassador Anthony Parsons – forcing him to instead rent a flat and depend on briefs delivered by SAVAK.[5]
Personal
He lived at Aldeburgh in Suffolk.[6] Franks was a member of the Travellers Club and still made regular visits into the last years of his life, often reminiscing with old colleagues from the intelligence world.[5]
He was nicknamed "Dick" and "Dickie".[3]
Sir Colin McColl, former head of MI6, said: “He [Franks] was extremely effective yet also sensitive, intelligent and a most delightful man.”[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Sir Dick Franks obituary". The Times. No. 69459. 20 October 2008. p. 51.
- ^ a b c "Sir Dick Franks". The Daily Telegraph. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 23 October 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d Burns, Jimmy (24 October 2008). "Trusted mastermind of UK cold war spycraft". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ Obituary: Brian Stewart The Scotsman, 10 September 2015
- ^ a b c Thomas, Gordon. "Out of the Shadows". Inside British Intelligence: 100 Years of MI5 and MI6. pp. 321–322.
- ^ Obituary: Sir Dick Franks The Independent, 30 October 2008
External links
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