EDMOND HAMEL.
Edmond Hamel, alias EDUARD, was between 1941 and 1943 encipherer and WT operator for Radó's network in Switzerland, operating "Station MAUD" from Geneva.
He was recruited in the summer of 1940 by Nicole.
Was trained in duties by Leon Beurton between August 1940 and March 1941.
Operated a WT set from a shop in the Rue de Carouge between March 1941 until the end of 1942.
Bij the end of 1942 the shop was raided by the Cantonal police, searching for Communist literature. The spare transmitter was located and confiscated. Operative set and enciphered cables (messages) were not discovered. Hamel was released within a few days, real activities apparently not suspected.
The WT set was then installed in a villa in the Chemin de Conches and operated until October 1943.
Received a joint salary with Olga of Frs. 400 and rent of the villa in 1943. (Moscow had authorised a higher rate of pay, but the balance was appropriated by Radó.
Received for safe keeping certain of Radó's accounts, ciphered messages and code data in July or August 1943.
On 13-10-1943 Hamel and his wife were arrested by the Swiss police.
Addresses.
From 1934 until 1947: Rue de Carouche 26, Geneva (wireless shop and flat).
From the end of 1942 until October 1943: Route de Florissante, near Geneva.
In 1946: Chemin de Conches, Chene Bougeries, near Geneva.
Personal particulars.
Nationality: Swiss.
Date of birth: 20-04-1910 in Noirmont.
Description: Height 5' 3"-4" stocky, though-looking build; dark hair; going bald; moon shaped face; small very dark
beady eyes; black brows; thin lipped; small chin; face very lined; hollow back; broad shoulders; right
shoulder lower than left.
Relatives: Married to Olga Hamel. Son of Marc Hamel and Louise nee Rousset.
Occupation: Wireless dealer.
History.
Long standing Communist; member of Nicole's Socialist Party.
Trained in Paris in 1926 as wireless specialist.
Went to live in Geneva in 1930.
Opened a WT shop in 1933
After his arrest by the local police by the end of 1942, moved the transmitter to the Route de Florissant villa rented by Radó.
Sentenced to 10 days imprisonment on 01-06-1943 (charge unknown, possibly related to political activities).
Was arrested with his wife on 13-10-1943 by the Swiss police and charged with espionage. Two WT transmitters were captured; a third in the Route de Florissant villa was not detected. Represented by Geneva lawyer Dutoit. Date of release unknown.
Presented himself in Octover 1947 for trial by Swiss military tribunal. sentenced to 9 months further imprisonment, with Frs. 1000 fine and 5 years "sursis". Released in bail within 6 months.
Source: KV3/350.