Really Interesting People from the UK
ANNE PONSONBY, aged 98
After volunteering for the forces in the war, she was recruited by the SOE, playing a major role co-ordinating clandestine operations in occupied Europe.
JOHN DAVID GLADWIN, aged 77
An accomplished musician who performed in rock bands before becoming more ethereal. He played a notable set at Glastonbury before retiring for a quieter life.
PETE WILKINSON, aged 78
Founder of Greenpeace, he was an environmentalist who protested about the dumping of nuclear waste and the slaughter of animals, and fought to save Antarctica.
JUDY PERCIVAL, aged 100
A dancer whose husband went to war, so she set off to the jungles of Asia to find him. Later on, she was the wife of an MP and friend to the Prime Minister.
Really Interesting People from Europe
VADIM BAKATIN, aged 84
A Soviet businessman turned politician, he was appointed the last ever head of the KGB, reforming it – and making himself unpopular with the authorities.
ADOLFO KAMINSKY, aged 97
An amateur chemist who narrowly avoided the Holocaust, he became the Resistance’s master forger – the man the Nazis couldn’t catch. He saved thousands of lives.
ALLA OSIPENKO, aged 92
A great ballerina, she challenged the authority of the Soviet Union and was subsequently ostracised. She was a dancing partner of both Nureyev and Baryshnikov.
MARTHE COHN, aged 105
A Jewish nurse who became a French spy in Nazi Germany, putting her life in danger and taking enormous risks – but sending vital information to the Allies.
Really Interesting People from the World
JOAN ANDERSON, aged 101
A model and pin-up girl from Australia, she became a GI Bride. She introduced a popular pastime to the USA but was cheated out of all credit and reward.
ANNE INNIS DAGG, aged 91
A pioneer scientist in animal behaviour, famous researchers followed in her footsteps. She also fought prejudice in academic circles and broke down barriers.
BOB RICHARDS, aged 97
An Olympic gold winning athlete who became a national hero, he was also a priest. Later he was a successful businessman and a very unsuccessful politician.
BARBARA MULLEN, aged 96
A working class girl from New York, she became a model working with leading photographers, appearing in top magazines having a career spanning three decades.
