On the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, a commemorative blue plaque has been unveiled in Ealing to honour Odette Sansom, a legendary wartime heroine and the first woman to be awarded the George Cross for bravery.
The tribute, led by English Heritage, was held at Sansom’s former home in Lawrence Road, South Ealing. The ceremony drew members of her family, Ealing Council leader Peter Mason, cabinet member for thriving communities Councillor Blerina Hashani, and senior figures from English Heritage.
Odette Sansom served as a Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent during the Second World War. A mother of three, she volunteered for clandestine service in occupied France, where she worked as a courier for the French Resistance. Captured by the Gestapo, she endured brutal interrogation and torture but refused to betray her fellow agents or mission.
Her courage under unimaginable pressure earned her the George Cross in 1946, recognising her extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice. Her resistance helped safeguard countless Allied lives and became a symbol of steadfast defiance against Nazi tyranny.
“Odette Sansom made a remarkable contribution to the Allies in the Second World War,” said Councillor Peter Mason. “The unveiling of the blue plaque at her home is a powerful reminder of her extraordinary bravery and the sacrifices she made in helping to defeat the Nazis.”
The timing of the ceremony holds particular resonance. It marks eight decades since Sansom’s return to Britain on 8 May 1945, the very day Nazi Germany surrendered and the war in Europe officially ended.
“Odette Sansom’s story is one of exceptional courage and determination,” said Howard Spencer, senior historian at English Heritage. “Today, as we celebrate VE Day, it is especially poignant to honour her legacy.”
Councillor Blerina Hashani, who met with members of Sansom’s family at the event, added: “It was a privilege to meet Odette Sansom’s family and learn more about her remarkable life. Odette now joins a list of inspirational female agents whose bravery is commemorated through the blue plaque scheme – highlighting the vital, and too often overlooked, contributions of women during the war.”
The plaque serves not only as a historical marker but also as a permanent tribute to an individual whose quiet heroism helped shape the course of history.
