Imagine a middle-aged woman, a literary translator, stepping into the world of espionage—a place typically dominated by men.
According to recent research, Agnes Blake was indeed the first female MI6 spy, a role that placed her in significant danger as she gathered intelligence on German officers during a critical time in history.
The Mission of Agent A
Agnes, known as “Agent A,” was tasked with gathering information regarding a potential German invasion or declaration of war.
At 50 years old and a widow with ties to Germany, she had the perfect cover story, allowing her to travel and gather intelligence without raising any eyebrows.
She joined the Secret Service Bureau in 1909, right at its inception, reporting directly to Mansfield Cumming, the first head of Britain’s secret intelligence service.
Uncovering History
Historian Claire Hubbard-Hall has identified Agnes Blake for the first time, discovering crucial information about her from previously overlooked accounting files in the National Archives.
“No one’s gone through them,” she noted, emphasizing the secretive nature of intelligence work.
On December 17, 1909, Agnes made history by becoming the first woman employed as an MI6 agent, marking a significant milestone in espionage.
A Well-Connected Background
Agnes came from a wealthy lineage; her grandfather, Frederick Garraway, amassed a fortune in Dominica through a sugar plantation in the 1820s.
A skilled translator, she adapted German plays for British audiences and translated German literature into English.
She even invented and patented a puzzle! Little is known about her late husband, except that they were married for 11 years before his passing.
Through her connections, Agnes was recommended to Sir Charles Hardinge, the MI6 paymaster, who recognized her potential to provide crucial early warnings about a possible German invasion, leveraging her family ties.
Her sister’s marriage into an aristocratic German family in 1869 gave her access to military insights through her brother-in-law, an equerry to the Crown Prince, who later became Kaiser Wilhelm.
A Dangerous Game
While Agnes focused primarily on a specific military figure, she also assisted Cumming with letters and telegrams in German.
Dr. Hubbard-Hall pointed out the considerable risks Agnes faced: “If she had been caught, the consequences would have been severe.”
Her work came during the tense lead-up to World War I, making her a vital asset for early warning signals regarding Germany’s intentions.
The Challenge of Recognition
Agnes’s story isn’t without its challenges. She was unable to access Cumming’s diary, which remains secure within MI6.
The only person permitted to view it, Alan Judd, had noted her “very slight grasp of what is required” during their first meeting.
However, Dr. Hubbard-Hall found later letters that indicated Cumming’s changed opinion about her, showing he desperately wanted her to continue her work.
Despite the chance to earn an annual salary of £100—equivalent to about £8,000 today—Agnes chose not to stay, and her extensive correspondence about her pay ultimately revealed her identity.
Records showed she was discharged from the Secret Service Bureau in 1910 with a final settlement of £58 10s.
Without this correspondence, “Agent A” might have remained lost to history.
The Legacy of a Hidden Heroine
The Secret Service Bureau, founded in October 1909, later evolved into MI5 and MI6.
Agnes was among a small group of early agents, predominantly men, leading Dr. Hubbard-Hall to assert, “I am 99% sure that she would have been the first woman employed.”
Agnes passed away in 1950 at the age of 91, leaving no children behind.
When Dr. Hubbard-Hall reached out to Agnes’s living relatives, they were taken aback: “They had absolutely no idea at all. They couldn’t quite believe it.”
They still possess a ring from the German aristocracy but were entirely unaware of Agnes’s covert activities.
Dr. Hubbard-Hall plans to include her research in the upcoming book, Her Secret Service: The Forgotten Women of British Intelligence, set to be published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on October 24.
Agnes Blake’s story is a remarkable reminder of the often-overlooked contributions of women in history.
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