Agent Rose: The True Spy Story of Eileen Nearne, Britain's Forgotten Wartime Heroine

by Bernard O'Connor

The life and poignant death of one of Britain's bravest women. In September 2010, the body of Eileen Nearne was found in a flat in Torquay. With no known friends or relatives, a council burial was arranged. A police search of her belongings found wartime French currency, and wartime medals. Further investigation revealed that she was one of 40 women sent into France by the SOE, the Special Operations Executive, Churchill's top secret wartime 'spook' organisation. Her story and her poignant death as a recluse became an international media sensation. Being fluent in French Eileen was identified early in the war by the SOE as a potential agent. After spending time as a wireless operator picking up transmissions from agents in the field and decoding them, she was chosen to be parachuted into occupied France, underwent paramilitary training and was assigned the codename 'ROSE'.

Genres: World War II, War

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2013

Reviews

[Merryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank God Agent Rose isn't alive to read this. Dull as ditchwater, this bland account of Eileen Nearne's life as a secret agent during WW2 is dry and boring. The reader is not treated to any insight as to the heroine's personality, thoughts or characteristics. Full of phrases such as 'Rose would probably have...' and 'maybe Rose might have', the book gives the impression of having been written by someone who was interested in the subject matter but not ever given the opportunity to research it fully, thus gleaning what they can from Google and Wikipedia.

[Rene Nel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have done with a proofread, but absolutely fascinating account. I'd not have survived the training.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit to being very generous in my two star rating. Perhaps because I feel that the exploits of WWII S.O.E. operatives should not be lost to history. The author Bernard O'Connor has written other books around this subject, but the 'true spy story of Eileen Nearne' suffers from scant information on 'Didi' in government archives and the forgotten wartime heroine herself, who did not speak of her service in S.O.E., even to her few family members. She died a recluse in 2010. All the lonely people, where do they all come from?
Somehow, O'Connor has written over two hundred pages covering the bare bones of this story. The text has to fill in the unknown details with 'perhaps', 'maybe', 'possibly' scenarios and a large helping of S.O.E. procedure. Too much cloak and not enough dagger here.
'Agent Rose' still waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the recruitment, training and lives of the SOE agents who gave so much for the Allied war effort. Humbled again by the sacrifices that so many made. Difficult to write about a particular person and their experiences, The Official Secrets Act and "Didi's" reluctance talk about the war always means there will be gaps in the story, about exactly what happened and her direct experiences, but easy to read, the author does a good job.

[Mike Pinter · Rating 4 out of 5]

We owe so much of our freedom today to so many people who chose to step into danger's way for the rest of us over 70 years ago. So many more histories have been lost because those who took part thought it was their duty to keep silent, or nobody thought to ask for them with gratitude.