Here are the deeds of two amazing women who both served during the World War 2, proving that it’s not just the men who have a monopoly on courage and bravery. Click below to see a PDF with custom artwork.
Women Heroes : Text only version
Odette Sansom
Odette Sansom was the first woman ever to be awarded the G.C. or
George Cross. She was infiltrated into France with six other S.O.E. (Special Operation
Executive) agents in October 1942. Whilst she was there she worked with
the French Resistance until 1943 when she was betrayed. For two years
she was held captive by the Gestapo, and despite being subjected to many
different forms of torture she refused to reveal the whereabouts of two key
British agents that the Germans were desperate to trace.
The Germans grew tired of trying to draw information from her so they
sentenced her to death. She spent the remaining few months of the war at
Ravensbruck concentration camp, where she was confined in complete
darkness. She was liberated by the Americans and when she returned
home from the war she became a prominent figure in her old service
unit, the Women’s Transport Service (F.A.N.Y.)
Daphne Pearson
Corporal Daphne Pearson was awarded the George Cross for her
actions during the war. On the 31st May 1940 a British bomber
crashed near the WAAF Quarters at Detling in Kent. Daphne rushed
out and helped the seriously injured pilot to free himself from
the burning wreckage. When she had got him some distance away,
one of the live bombs still on the aircraft exploded. Daphne dived
on top of the soldier, protecting him from the blast and splinters
with no regard for her own safety. She remained with him until the
stretcher party arrived. After the pilot was safe she rushed back to
the aircraft to search for other crew members.
She was initially awarded the (Empire Gallantry Medal) EGM,
which was then exchanged a few months later for the George Cross.
