100 Heroes: Peter Wildeblood
The gay man whose persecution helped the push for decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK.

Peter Wildeblood was a journalist, novelist, and playwright.
He was one of the first men in the UK to publicly declare his homosexuality.
Early life
Born in 1923, Wildeblood began his studies at Trinity College, Oxford before volunteering to join the Royal Air Force.
He service in WWII was mostly in Rhodesia, where he worked as an RAF meteorologist.
After the war, he returned to Oxford and focused on theatre and the arts and began working as a journalist.
Prosecution
In the summer of 1953, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu offered Wildeblood the use of a beach hut near his country estate - Wildeblood and Montagu were friends. Wildeblood brought with him two young RAF servicemen, Edward McNally and John Reynolds. Wildeblood was in a relationship with McNally. It seems that Reynolds was also well-known to Montagu. The four men were also joined by Montagu's cousin Michael Pitt-Rivers.
For some reason, this gathering attracted the attention of the police. This was at a time when the police were actively persecuting gay men in the UK.
Montagu, Wildeblood, and Pitt-Rivers were arrested and charged with the crime of gay sex.
The two RAF servicemen gave evidence for the prosecution.
Letters from Wildeblood and Montagu to McNally and Reynolds were found by the RAF.
The trial of Wildeblood began in March 1954. During the trial, Wildeblood admitted that he was homosexual. Wildeblood was convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
The controversy and media coverage surrounding the trials of Montagu, Wildeblood, and Pitt-Rivers contributed to the establishment of the Wolfenden Committee and the eventual decriminalisation of homosexuality.
Wolfenden
The Wolfenden Committee was established to consider the legal position of homosexuality in the UK.
Wildeblood gave testimony to the Wolfenden committee - testimony that was seen as being influential on its recommendations.
Against the Law
In 1955, Wolfenden published a book - Against the Law - giving his account of his arrest, trial, and imprisonment.
The book highlighted poor prison conditions in the UK, and called for both prison reform and also the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
Later life
As well as owning a bar in Soho, Wildeblood wrote two novels. He also worked on a number of musicals and became a television producer.
He died in 1999.
