Vera Atkins Memorial
The fallen agents
ROWDEN Diana Hope, Section Officer 4139, Women's Auxiliary Air Force attached to Special Operations Executive, executed 6th July 1944 at Natzweiler aged 20. Croix de Guerre. Daughter of Maj. Aldred Clement Rowden, and of Christian Rowden, of Binsted, Hampshire. Mentioned in Despatches, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
http://www.specialforcesroh.com/browse.php?mode=viewiroll&rollid=4136
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Rowden
PLEWMAN Elaine Sophia, Ensign F/23, Women's Transport Service, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal Volunteer Corps) attached to the Special Operations Executive, executed 13th September 1944 aged 27 at Dachau.Croix de Guerre (France). Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. L. Browne; wife of Thomas L. Plewman, of Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Commemorated on the Brookwood Memorial, Surrey.
http://www.specialforcesroh.com/browse.php?mode=viewiroll&rollid=4112
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliane_Plewman
SZABO Violette Reine Elizabeth, Women's Transport Service, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, (Princess Royal Volunteer Corps) executed 5th February 1945 at Ravensbruck aged 23. Awarded the Croix de Guerre (France). and George Cross. Formerly of the A.T.S. Daughter of Charles George and Reine Blanche Bushell, of Long Jetty, New South Wales, Australia; wife of Lieut. Etienne Szabo, Free French Forces, killed in action at El Alamein. 24th October, 1942. The following details are given in the London Gazette of 17th December, 1946:- Madame Szabo volunteered to undertake a particularly dangerous mission in France. She was parachuted into France in April 1944, and undertook the task with enthusiasm. In her execution of the delicate researches entailed she showed great presence of mind and astuteness. She was twice arrested by the German security authorities, but each time managed to get away. Eventually, however, with other members of her group, she was surrounded by the Gestapo in a house in the south-west of France. Resistance appeared hopeless, but Madame Szabo, seizing a Sten gun and as much ammunition as she could carry, barricaded herself in part of the house, and, exchanging shot for shot with the enemy, killed or wounded several of them. By constant movement she avoided being cornered and fought until she dropped exhausted. She was arrested and had to undergo solitary confinement. She was then continuously and atrociously tortured, but never by word or deed gave away any of her aquaintances, or told the enemy anything of value. She was ultimately executed. Madame Szabo gave a magnificent example of courage and steadfastness.
Commemorated on the Brookwood Memorial, Surrey.
http://www.specialforcesroh.com/browse.php?mode=viewiroll&rollid=4170
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violette_Szabo
http://www.violette-szabo-museum.co.uk/foyer.htm
