A mystery worthy of Deighton

British spy writer Len Deighton who penned ‘Funeral in Berlin’

Thanks to Stephen Callanan, who started at St Mary’s in 1962 for sending me this amusing email:

“I came across the copy of Len Deighton's ‘Funeral in Berlin’ I was awarded in December 1966 for the fourth year English prize.

“Whoever chose it made a good choice. I was, and still am,  a huge fan of spy fiction. But I can't recall who taught English to 4A. Sid Kenny-Levick?

“What amuses me now is that it was quite a sophisticated choice for a fifteen-year-old Roman Catholic schoolboy. The cover pic shows that in his briefcase along with his gun, ammunition, miniature  camera, aspirin, travel sickness pills, Scholls foot powder, toothpaste, toothbrush, brush and comb and copy of ‘getting along in russian’ the spy carries a pack of Durex.”

“Presumably no-one noticed. I can't recall when I first did, though what I remember very clearly is ‘Muggs’ McKeown characterising sex with a condom as ‘like washing your feet with your socks on’. How he would have known about either is a matter for conjecture.”

Thanks Stephen - that is a great little memory and a nice item of St Mary’s memorabilia!

The front cover of the book showing Stephen’s prize.