The return of Bernard Nevin

Margery Booth, the 'Knickers Spy' who sang for Hitler. This is the captivating story of one woman's heroism and it highlights the role of other brave women in WW2 who's stories have not been told.

  • Date:29/5/2026 10:30 AM
  • Location Liverpool Central Library (Map)
  • More Info:4th Floor Meeting Room

Description


Margery Booth is a forgotten English Opera Star from the 1930's who was also an undercover wartime spy. Born in Wigan before moving to Southport, Margery was a young child with a notable singing talent  who eventually moved to London where she sang at the Royal Opera House. Marrying a rich German industrialist, she moved to Germany where she rose to acclaim in 1930's Berlin, singing at the Berlin Opera. Adolf Hitler became a personal fan, sending her roses after her performances, and dining with him one at least one occasion. She reported him as being ' perfectly charming'. This admiration from the Fuehrer was to later be vital for her survival.
But she was to become involved with British Intelligence, passing on secrets under the noses of the feared Gestapo, discretely hidden in her underwear, hence known as the 'Knickers Spy', a title given to her by the post-war media.. 
Margery sang in POW camps for British prisoners to bolster their morale but fell under the suspicion of the Gestapo, she was arrested and tortured but later released. As the war entered its final stages she managed to escape across Germany and was repatriated, giving evidence against UK Nazi collaborators such as Lord Haw Haw. 
However, her life and association with prominent Nazis meant that she was unkindly viewed on her return to the UK and particularly in the world of opera. Her bravery went unacknowledged and unrewarded and it was only by accident that her wartime secretive activities became known.

There is a standard £4 cover charge for room hire and the cost of speakers. Please play on the door. Technically it is for members of the Liverpool branch of the u3a. We welcome people to come along to see if they might like to join. We hope to see you soon.