The Agents

Scroll down for Airey Neave, Peter Baker, Hugh Macare, John Sehmer and David Finlayson.

Airey Neave DSO OBE MC TD MP

The Airey Neave plaque has now been refitted after refurbishment sponsored by family members. 6th November 2025.

Memorial Text
Airey Middleton Sheffield Neave DSO, OBE, MC, TD & MP
23rd January 1916 to 30th March 1979
As a soldier Airey Neave was, in 1942 the first British Prisoner of War to escape from Colditz Castle, the prison fortress in Germany. He escaped dressed as a German Officer, and after many adventures returned to England to continue the fight.
As an escaper himself, he joined MI9, with his codename SATURDAY, to help others to escape. In partnership with the underground resistance in Holland, Belgium and France he organised the repatriation of many Allied aircrew, soldiers and sailors from enemy occupied France.
He will be especially remembered for his organisation of escape routes for Airborne Forces trapped behind enemy lines following the battle of Arnhem in 1944.
As a politician Airey Neave was the Conservative Member of Parliament for Abingdon from 1953 to 1979.
In 1975 he masterminded the election of Margaret Thatcher to the leadership of the Conservative Party. His service as shadow Secretary for Northern Ireland led to his assassination within the precincts of the Houses of Parliament on 30th March 1979.
His career, both in the military service and in politics, was notable for his constant courage, for his ability to assess risk and act decisively, and for a determined and uncompromising approach to tyranny.
He is remembered here by his family and friends.
Garden 1 – Special Operations – Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove – Amelanchia-grandiflora “Ballerina Tree” – 2017.
Further Information

Airey Neave Memorial Dedication
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airey_Neave
Airey Neave Trust
https://www.alistairlexden.org.uk/news/airey-neave-personal-and-historical-elections-forty-years-after-his-murder

Captain Peter Baker MI9 .

Peter Baker spent an eventful war mostly behind enemy lines helping Allied soldiers escape and leading resistance forces before he was captured in Holland. Plaque refurbished and refitted 6th November 2025.
  • Memorial Text
  • Captain Peter Arthur David Baker
  • 1921-1966
  • Royal Artillery, Intelligence Corps, Phantom GHQ Liaison Regiment, MI9/IS9
  • Military Cross, Croix de Guerre, Savoy Cross, Madaglio D’Oro
  • For valour in service behind enemy lines in Italy, France and Holland
  • Peter Baker enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1939 and elected to serve in the ranks for 8 months before taking up an Officer’s Commission. He was promoted to Captain whilst attached to the Intelligence Corps in Oxford during 1942.
  • He was then posted as Intelligence Officer, GHQ Liaison Regiment- known as Phantom – a secret front-line battle assessment, cipher and signalling organisation.
  • In July 1943 he was based in Algeria before landing in Taranto, Italy for operations penetrating 100 miles behind enemy lines.
  • In 1944 he was posted to IS9, a secret organisation tasked to reorganise resistance groups and escape routes for shot-down aircrew in France and Belgium, after the Normandy landings.
  • In August 1944 he went 60 miles behind enemy lines with the French Resistance to the Foret of Freteval to facilitate the rescue of over 150 aircrew and army evaders who had been hidden in the forest by the Comete network sustained by the local French Resistance.
  • In September 1944, whilst working with the Dutch Resistance he sent London Photostat details of the German V2 Rocket and their Atomic Bomb plants.
  • In October 1944 he canoed across the River Waal near Tiel to take command of the Underground and organize escape lines for trapped Airborne Forces from the failed ‘Market Garden’ landings at Arnhem.
  • He was captured when the safe house he was in was betrayed. He managed to conceal his secret operational role but following an escape attempt he was severely treated. On release in April 1945 he weighed just 7 stone.
  • A man of outstanding bravery and infectious energy.
  • Remembered by his daughter Penelope. 5th August 2017.
  • Garden 1 – Special Operations – Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove – Ash tree, Fraxinus Jasopidea.
  • Further Information
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Baker_(British_politician)
  • https://ww2escapelines.co.uk/article/captain-peter-baker/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MI9

Humphrey Max Macare – Dutch Special Operations Executive

Major John Sehmer MBE

David Finlayson Special Operations Executive

  • Memorial Text
  • In memory of 306891 Lieutenant David Haughton Finlayson Aged 20.
  • Special Operations Executive
  • … — .
  • French Section
  • David; alias Guillaume was dropped into enemy occupied France on the 3rd March 1944 as part of “Operation Liontamer”.
  • His role as a Wireless Radio Operator was vital to the operations success.
  • He was captured on landing due to German Intelligence Agents who had infiltrated the Resistance Circuit who were to help him.
  • After interrogation at Fresnes Prison in Paris he was sent to Gross Rosen concentration camp and executed between 1st August and 30th September 1944.
  • Remembered here by his sister and brother Lillian Mary Smith and Frances John Finlayson. 1st August 2008
  • Further Information
  • Alan Malcher ~ David Finlayson
  • https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Finlayson
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SOE_agents
  • International Bomber Command

PAGE UPDATED 20TH OCTOBER 2025