Honoring the March SOE Women: A Legacy of Courage

As the year progresses, I continue my tribute to the extraordinary women of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) Section F by remembering those born in March. Each of these brave agents answered the call to resist tyranny, risking their lives to support the Allied cause.

Through their courage, resilience, and ultimate sacrifices, they became integral to the fight against Nazi occupation in France. Their missions were perilous, their endurance remarkable, and their contributions invaluable.

This month, we honor the women whose birthdays fall in March, sharing their stories so they are never forgotten.

Eileen Nearne: The Unbreakable Spirit Behind Codename "Rose"

Eileen Nearne, born on March 16, 1921, in London, was one of the most resilient female agents of the SOE. After spending much of her childhood in France, she returned to Britain during the war and was soon recruited into the SOE’s clandestine operations. Fluent in French and fiercely determined, she trained as a wireless operator—one of the most dangerous roles an agent could take on.

In March 1944, under the codename Rose, Eileen was parachuted into occupied France to work as a radio operator for the Wizard network. For months, she transmitted critical messages between the French Resistance and London, facilitating supply drops, coordinating sabotage missions, and relaying vital intelligence. Despite the constant threat of detection, she remained steadfast, sending over a hundred transmissions—each one a potential death sentence if intercepted.

Her luck ran out in July 1944 when the Gestapo captured her. Despite brutal interrogation and torture, she refused to break, insisting she was an innocent civilian who knew nothing of espionage. Deported to Ravensbrück concentration camp, she endured forced labor and starvation but never lost her resolve. In early 1945, she escaped during a prison transfer and was eventually liberated by American troops.

After the war, Eileen was honored with the Croix de Guerre by France and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her extraordinary bravery. However, she lived out her later years in quiet solitude, her incredible wartime efforts largely unknown to the world until after her passing in 2010.

Her story, though once hidden, stands today as a powerful testament to the unwavering spirit of the SOE women. She was, and will always be, a symbol of resilience, courage, and quiet heroism.

You can read my version of Eileen’s life and mission is the recently released The Echo of Valor, Codename Rose.

Anne-Marie Walters: The Young Courier of the Wheelwright Network

Born on March 16, 1923, in Geneva, Switzerland, Anne-Marie Walters was the daughter of an English father and a French mother. Fluent in both languages, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in 1941. In 1943, recognizing her potential, the Special Operations Executive (SOE) recruited her as a field agent. At just 20 years old, she became one of the youngest female agents in the SOE, operating under the codename "Colette." 

In January 1944, Anne-Marie was parachuted into southwestern France to serve as a courier for the Wheelwright network, led by George Starr. Her role involved transporting messages, coordinating supply drops, and liaising between resistance groups—a perilous task that required constant movement and discretion. She often traveled by bicycle or train, adopting various disguises to evade German forces. Her missions took her across regions such as Auch, Tarbes, and Montréjeau, where she delivered vital information and resources to support sabotage operations against the occupying forces. 

In August 1944, as Allied forces advanced, Anne-Marie and her comrades faced intense combat during the Battle of Castelnau. Despite the dangers, she continued her work until the liberation of the area. For her bravery and contributions, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Médaille de la Reconnaissance Française by the French government. 

After the war, Anne-Marie documented her experiences in her memoir, "Moondrop to Gascony," providing a vivid account of her time with the French Resistance. She later settled in France, where she lived until her passing in 1998. Her story stands as a testament to the courage and determination of the young women who risked their lives to fight against oppression.

Vera Leigh: The Overlooked Heroine of the SOE

Born on March 17, 1903, in Leeds, England, Vera Leigh was adopted by an American racehorse trainer and raised in France. She became a successful figure in Parisian haute couture, co-founding the fashion house Rose Valois in 1927. With the onset of World War II and the fall of Paris in 1940, Vera joined the French Resistance, assisting in the escape of Allied servicemen from occupied France. In 1942, she made her way to England and was recruited by the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Operating under the codename "Simone," she was parachuted back into France in May 1943 to serve as a courier for the Donkeyman circuit. Her work involved perilous missions, including delivering messages and coordinating resistance activities. Tragically, she was arrested by the Gestapo in October 1943, endured harsh imprisonment, and was executed at the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp in July 1944. Despite her extraordinary bravery and sacrifice, Vera Leigh received only the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct posthumously. Her story is a poignant reminder of the many unsung heroes of the SOE whose contributions have not been fully recognized.

Note: Vera Leigh's life and service will be further explored in the upcoming book, "The Gift of Grace: Codename Simone," as part of the Timeless Agents series.