Gay For Today: Micky Burn

Micky Burn born 1912*

Michael 'Micky' Burn is an English journalist, commando, writer and poet.

Burn was born into a Roman Catholic family, and admits that in earlier life: 'I had been drawn to three autocracies: German National Socialism, Communism, and the Roman Catholic Church.' Burn's father was secretary and solicitor to the Duchy of Cornwall became a trusted confidant of the King; while his mother's family was instrumental in developing the golf-and-gambling resort of Le Touquet.

Burn spent an amount of time in Florence, befriending Alice Keppel, the former mistress of Edward VII. A homosexual, his lovers included later Soviet Union spy Guy Burgess. On two occasions during the 1930s, plagued by threats of blackmail, Burn took himself to the police, as homosexuality was then a crime.

Burn was introduced to German National Socialism by Nancy Mitford, who in 1936 arranged for Burn to meet Adolf Hitler, who signed his copy of Mein Kampf.

Burn then agreed to join The Times newspaper as a foreign correspondent. When World War II broke out, Burn quickly shifted his politics to Marxism.

Burn joined what were initially termed 'independent companies' that were first called storm troops, later renamed Commandos. Burn's team initial engagement was in Norway in 1940, part of the unsuccessful Allied campaign to counter the German invasion.

Burn was commander of 6 Troop, 2 Commando and leader of all Commando parties of Group 2 as part of the 1942 St Nazaire Raid. Although five of his colleagues were awarded the Victoria Cross, Burn's team after a failed land based escape were captured

Burn was interrogated, and eventually sent to Colditz Castle, Oflag IV-C. His captors, perhaps noting his royal connections and tattered copy of Mein Kampf, he was well treated.

Burn gave lectures to prisoners at Colditz, however, but due to his pre-war interest in Nazi philosophy he was widely regarded with distrust and scorn. However, shorthand learnt for previous employment in journalism meant Burn acted as scribe to Colditz's secret radio operator, Lieutenant-Colonel Jimmy Yule.

On liberation, Burn sent dispatches to The Times about what had gone on in Colditz, published in the times on the 19th and 21st April 1945. Burn had written a novel during his stay, which was published as Yes, Farewell in 1946.

When the war ended The Times gave Burn his job back, wary of what to do with someone of Burn's convictions. By chance he was assigned to Hungary, where he resultantly became the main British reporter on the political purges, and the faked trial of József Cardinal Mindszenty.

Despite his homosexuality, Burn suddenly fell in love with a widow who coped devotedly with his occasional lapses until her death. His friends - Victor Rothschild, Bertrand Russell, the Baroness Budberg rallied to keep him company.

Burn has written five books of non-fiction, four novels and four books of poetry — including a Keats Poetry Award volume. He presently enjoys reading his poetry aloud at regional poetry events.