
For most of her life, Pippa Latour harboured an astonishing secret. She told no one – not even her husband or four children when they became adults – of her incredible feats, working behind enemy lines in France during World War II and being the last surviving female Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent from that war.
It was a part of her life that she intentionally never revealed, until TV personality and historical “storyteller” Jude Dobson struck up a friendship with the straight-talking centenarian. With trust established, Pippa chose Jude to write her memoir.
Week after week, the pair would spend a couple of hours at Pippa’s West Auckland home, nibbling on cheese scones and going over Pippa’s needle-sharp recollections.
Tells Jude, “Initially, I said, ‘When would it suit you for me to come and do these chats?’ And she replied, ‘Well, I’m quite busy during the week, so probably just the weekends.’ So I slotted in between when she fed her doves at 11am and 6pm every day.
“She’d always set me homework too,” laughs Jude. “I’d go away and my head would be spinning, thinking, ‘How on earth will I find that out?’ But I always did.
“Some tasks that she set for me were, however, impossible, like getting ‘poppycock’ about her removed from the internet.”
Then there were their impromptu photos sessions.
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2024 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2024 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar

Sharks, camera, action! STEVE & RILEY'S OCEAN TALES
The daring dad has inspired his girl to dive in and join his underwater crusade

Jude's trailblazers 'SECRETS TO OUR SUCCESS'
The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in 1975. The 50th anniversary is a chance to reflect on how far women have come and have yet to go

Cheesecake with a TWIST
A popular herb and some strawberry jam takes this sweet treat to a new level of deliciousness! Seconds, anyone?

Marvellous Miriam 'I'M MORE THAN A FUNNY LITTLE LADY'
The honorary Kiwi tells why she feels so at home on our shores

Top of their game HALBERG'S GOOD SPORTS
It was a chance for New Zealand's sporting elite to pat each other on the back

Bye-bye, Weatherfield! CORO STARS' SHOCK EXIT
Veteran actor Helen Worth (who plays Gail Rodwell) bowed out after an incredible 50 years on the cobbles - now more of the show's popular residents are saying goodbye to the Street. It's ta-ra to...

Why William needs PUTTING FAMILY FIRST
Whisking his princess away to Mystique was just the tonic

Straight from the heart MIKE'S URGENT MESSAGE
After his brother's shock death, the real estate mogul is prioritising his health

Letting the past go PETA'S HEALING MOMENT
The fabulous foodie shares how her mother's apology changed everything

It's showtime! MOMENT OF TRUTH
As ever, nothing has gone smoothly for the duchess