Sunday 6th July 2025 – Belgium Remembers. Our annual talk and walk on ‘secret war’ Belgians buried or
commemorated in Brookwood Military Cemetery near Woking, Surrey was attended this year by the Assistant
Belgian Defence Attaché, WO Sven Berg. Prior to the ceremony in the military cemetery, Sven was
accompanied by Louisa Russell and Paul McCue to the civilian cemetery. Over the last 18 months, Secret
WW2 have been involved with the Belgian Embassy’s Defence Team in London in arranging the restoration
of the grave (see below) of Belgium’s ambassador to the UK during WW2 – Baron Emile-Ernest de Cartier
de Marchienne. The Baron died in London in 1946 and lies alongside his wife, American-born Marie Dow,
who predeceased him ten years earlier.

The Secret WW2 ceremony at the Memorial to the Missing 1939-45 recognised Eugène Levene, born in Belgium of Belgian parents, but later naturalised British. Levene served with F Section of SOE, was caught and executed at Flossenbürg concentration camp on 29th March 1945. Wreaths were laid by WO Berg on behalf of the Belgian Ambassador and Belgian armed forces, by Louisa Russell for Secret WW2, by Fred Greyer for the Fraternelle des Agents Parachutistes in Belgium and Gary Cook for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The Fraternelle’s Roll of Honour, of which Secret WW2 were gifted a copy, was on display.

Lieutenant Levene of F Section, SOE – in British Army and secret agent guise

A short ceremony and wreath laying was performed at the Belian burial plot and the monthly ceremony of the
Brookwood Last Post Association followed, maintaining the Belgian theme and remembering Levene.
Refreshments were provided afterwards by our supporter Eddie Jones of The Trench Experience.