Secret Agent, Unsung Hero by Peter Dowding
Synopsis
Young Australian teacher Kenneth Bruce Dowding, known as Bruce, loved sport, music, architecture, the classics….and speaking French.
On an extended visit to France in 1939, he volunteered to act as interpreter with the British Service Corp. He quickly became an integral member of escape operations for allied servicemen trying to return home, including a period in Perpignan moving evaders over the Spanish border.
Along with many other loyal men and women, he was betrayed to the Gestapo by the traitor Paul Cole, and beheaded in Dortmund on 30 June 1943.
This biography, researched over decades, is written by Bruce’s nephew, Peter, to honour Bruce and the millions who gave their lives for our safety.
KENNETH BRUCE DOWDING 4 MAY 1914-30 JUNE 1943
More info here.
Reviews
Ross Fitzgerald (Emeritus Professor of History and Politics at Griffith University)
This biography of Melbourne-born secret agent Bruce Dowding is a fascinating portrait of a remarkable young Australian whose story was previously unknown to me.
Dr. Helen Fry (British historian)
Tthe book about Dowding tells an unknown true story with clarity and pace. Dowding’s actions, risking his own life by rescuing others, using clandestine escape lines in Nazi-occupied Europe were nothing short of heroic. His story really deserves to be better known.
Through PO Life I was connected to Peter Dowding and helped him with his book launch this week in Toulouse. Secret Agent, Unsung Hero has been very well received during Peter’s extensive tour. I am sure more about both this remarkable story & Peter’s journey will appear here in due course!