The Dennis Wheatley 'Museum' - Dennis Wheatley in World War II: a supplement

Epilogue

The War Rooms Visitors' Book for 1977-1979

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Johnny Bevan re-visits the War Rooms on 23rd March 1977

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After the war, the historic value of the War Rooms was recognised, but only strictly limited numbers were allowed to visit, and only by appointment. The War Rooms were first opened to the general public in 1984.

The War Rooms Visitors' Book for 1977-1979 came up for auction in 2022, and we can see from it that on 23^rd March 1977 an elderly Johnny Bevan re-visited the rooms in which he had served with such distinction.

Churchill had died in 1965, some twelve years before Bevan's visit, and Hastings Ismay had died a few months after Churchill.

Bevan was almost 83 when he visited, and he was to die the following year.

At the time of Bevan's visit, DW was 80, and DW and Peteval were to die that same year. Ronald Wingate was 87, and he, like Bevan, was to die the following year.

What thoughts and reminiscences went through Bevan's mind as he wandered through the empty rooms can scarcely be imagined.