I have been reading of the Oscar Schindler-like exploits of my friend and Herald director Brooks Newmark, who has not only taken in a Ukrainian family into his Belgravia house but also, through his charity Angels for Ukraine, has rescued over 21,000 women and children from various warzones. Having lunch with Brooks the other day made me recall how so often the theatre of war throws up unsung heroes, and occasionally saints.
My convert late father, Wing Commander Archibald James (he was later appointed KBE), was a Conservative Member of Parliament who visited both sides during the Spanish Civil War and met some of Franco’s generals. He also once shared a flat with Kim Philby and an office with the Duke of Windsor (although not at the same time), and won a Military Cross in the First World War.
