Erdmute Greis-Behrendt

During my years in East Berlin (1960-62) Erdmute had the title of “Office Secretary” but was already far more than that, being inter alia an assiduous and highly effective comber of the East German provincial press for stories of interest. She may not have been unique amongst so many Reuter employees “behind the Iron Curtain” in the Cold War years but was definitely one of the very few who were not “appointed” to their job by the Communist authorities. The position was advertised by Reuters in the local party daily, Berliner Zeitung, and Erdmute was one of the very few people (if any others) who courageously answered the advert, applied for the job, and was allowed to take it. The support she gave me and my wife Mary during the Wall crisis 50 years ago was unstinting and invaluable. We loved her dearly and will miss her greatly. ■