time in the Middle East advising on how to counter Soviet subversion to British authorities in the area. By the late 1940s she was recognised as a leading expert on Soviet Communism. Her knowledge was supposed to have impressed J Edgar Hoover. In 1949 she was promoted to officer. In 1953 Bagot became the first female intelligence officer in MI5 to reach the rank of Assistant Director, taking charge of an Overseas Branch section. She retired in 1967. Recognition and commemoration Bagot was made an MBE in 1949 and promoted to CBE in 1967. She lived in Putney for most of her life. A blue plaque was unveiled on 15 October 2021 at Milicent Bagot's former home in Putney. References 1907 births 2006 deaths Alumni of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford Secret Intelligence Service personnel Commanders of the Order of the British Empire MI5 personnel People from Putney