Produced by Radio 4, ‘History’s Secret Heroes celebrates figures from World War Two.

Its fourth episode, which is entitled ‘Claude, Marcel and the Soldier With No Name’ and came out at the end of June, focuses on the two Jersey resistance heroes.

Helena Bonham Carter – who starred in The King’s Speech, Fight Club, and a string of Tim Burton films – narrates the story of their resistance during the war and explores their queer identities. 

Who were Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore?

Born Lucy Schwob and Suzanne Malherbe, Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore were a couple of French artists who relocated to Jersey in 1937.

Pictured: Claude Cahun.

They were an important part of Jersey’s resistance, using Marcel’s German skills to distribute anti-Nazi propaganda and poetry signed ‘The Soldier with No Name’ among occupying soldiers and create confusion. 

Claude Cahun is also widely regarded as a pioneer of surrealist photography, and is also celebrated as a queer icon for championing androgyny.

LISTEN…

You can listen to the podcast here.